"Why is she even here Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall asked, watching as the headmaster paced about the room.
"She needs us Minerva, more than she may know," he whispered, watching as the girl seemed to be spending more and more time with Draco Malfoy.
"Yes, but who is she?"
"Do you remember Aurora?" he asked, picturing the beautiful girl in his mind. Her jet-black hair and bright blue eyes – her daughter was the exact image of her.
"Of course, everyone loved her," McGonagall muttered, confused at what she had to do with the girl.
"None moreso than Tom Riddle, Dawn's father," Dumbledore stated, watching as Minerva gasped in shock.
"It cannot be," she whispered, fear residing itself in her eyes.
"Yes, it seems the daughter of Voldemort is our only hope," he said, staring silently as the girl looked directly up at him from below.
She often walked around the grounds he noticed, seeming to be searching for something. Her brilliant blue eyes sparkling as the sun shone bright. If he concentrated, he could see her aura darken slightly whenever she stopped or hesitated.
"Harry? Harry, what are you looking at?" a voice interrupted, startling him from his view.
"N…nothing," he stuttered, blushing slightly as Ron smirked at him.
"Enjoy the view there Harry?"
"Shut up," he grumbled, the dirt suddenly becoming very interesting.
"You alright there Harry?" a voice interrupted their teasing, startling the entire group.
"I'm fine Dawn," he stated, smiling up at the girl.
"Bloody hell, it's her," Ron gasped, his eyes widening as he finally took in who was really there with them.
"Um, what?" Dawn asked, confused by his gasp or excitement.
"What he's trying to say, is that you're that girl that was fighting that demon when we were taking our Care of Magical creatures class," the bushy haired girl stated, glaring angrily at the red-headed boy.
"Thanks…Hermione right?"
"Yes that would be me," she smiled, nodding towards the girl politely.
"So, that would make him Ron?"
"Yea, that'd be me," he smiled shyly, waving towards the girl.
"Dumbledore holds you all in high regard," she smiled, nodding to each of them. She had remembered the tales Dumbledore had told of these three, and she couldn't help but want to meet them.
"Oh, well…er…thanks, I guess," Hermione blushed, her eyes shining bright.
"So, what were you doing out and about Dawn?" Harry asked, watching as she frowned slightly.
"I sensed something out here, but I wasn't sure where," she whispered, looking discretely around. "It was calling to me."
"You must be highly entuned to the wilderness to have such an ability Dawn," Hermione stated, studying the girl silently; there didn't seem to be anything special about Dawn, yet, she could easily tell that she was not to be messed with.
"Thankyou," Dawn nodded politely, she didn't want anyone snooping into her background yet, or if ever. "I really must go."
"Really?" Harry asked, watching as her gaze lingered onto the Forbidden Forest.
"I'll be back, just like I promised," she smiled, winking towards the boy before running off into the forest; she had some demons to fight.
"You've got it bad mate," Ron smirked, noticing his friends longing gaze.
"Come here," a voice commanded softly, wrapping the shivering girl in his arms.
"I..I didn't mean to, i…it slipped," she whispered, her eyes looking towards the unconscious form infront of her.
"I'll take care of it," he answered, kissing the top of her head softly; his eyes softening as he looked at her.
"Thankyou," she said, wiping her tears away. He always took care of her slips, or her mistakes; of her.
"You have to be careful though," he reprimanded softly, looking down at the girl.
"I try Tom, I really do; but, it's hard. It's there, inside me, clawing its way to the surface. I'm scared," she stated, looking pleadingly up into his soft blue eyes. Only soft for her.
"You know I'll be there to protect you Aurora, no matter what," he said, pulling the girl into his arms tightly. He couldn't bare watching her in the pain that she was in; he was scared for her.
"I love you," she whispered, pulling out of the embrace enough for her to look at him.
"I love you too," he smiled, his head leaning towards hers for a tender kiss…
"Aurora," she whispered, her eyes alert and awake; her dream stirring emotions long forgotten. She could picture them clearly in her mind; the couple that was completely dangerous. She had learnt a lot from just watching; she had learnt that the houses took their rivalry to the limit – and this, this wasn't the beginning of it. Her parent were both in Slytherin, she had seen their robes and the robes of the boy lying on the floor; all thanks to her mother.
Standing, she walked to her mirror that was put into her room. Tracing her features; her long auburn hair, cheekbones, blue eyes, pink lips – she glared at herself. How could such people be her parents? How could they hurt somebody like that? How could they leave her? How coul- SMASH! She pulled her bleeding hand back from the glass, her head awhirl with thoughts. Running out of her room, she followed the familiar path that led her to his room.
Slipping through the portrait unnoticed, she climbed the stairs to his room – never once second guessing why she was here. He was who she confided in while she was here; he was her best-friend. "Drake? Drake, you awake?"
"I am now," he muttered sleepily, turning towards her shaken body. "What is it?"
"I need…I need a friend," she whispered, tears already falling from her eyes.
He watched as she silently slid into his bed; wrapping his arms around her slim waist, he couldn't help but feel protective of the girl. "You okay?"
"I'm fine now, just a…a nightmare," she murmured, leaning into his chest for a support she hadn't needed in a long time.
"Goodnight," he sighed slightly, snuggling under the covers with her.
"Night Draco," she grumbled, sleep already taking its effect on her.
It had been two months since she had arrived. One month since she and Draco Malfoy become friends and Harry Potter became someone who was always in her thoughts. Smiling, she continued on her walk as silently as possible; watching as the students seemed to have already gotten used to her presence.
"Having fun?" a voice asked behind, obviously amused at her slight jump.
"That's not nice Mr. Potter," she mock-growled, turning around to glare at the boy.
"Never said I was nice," he smirked, his eye-brow raised in challenge.
"Argh fine, just sneak up on me then," she pouted, turning on her heel and continued walking away.
"Hey wait up!" he shouted, running to catch step with her.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry," he apologised, grinning at the girl charmingly; knowing she couldn't resist.
"Accepted," she nodded affirmatively, linking arms with him; she pulled him along. "Now, what are you doing out here Harry?"
"I come here to think," he answered quietly, blushing slightly at his confession.
"Are you trying to say that, that is not a common thing with you?"
"No! I…I just, here I think about Voldemort and everything I guess," Harry stuttered quickly, looking towards the lake that glimmered slightly.
"That evil guy? I still don't get why people fear saying his name, I mean, if you fear his name, how are you going to be when you actually go up against him? Really, this place is silly," she said, smiling as she saw a hint of pride swell in the boys eyes.
"You know, you really are a mysterious creature," he smiled, turning to face her completely.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, for one, you hang out with Draco Malfoy and aren't a complete prat – you may have actually done some good with him. Two, you're strong, abnormally strong I'd say and three, you glow," he whispered, bringing a hand up to stroke her cheek lovingly. "Glow with light."
"No I don't," she blushed, shying away from his touch.
"Let me be the judge," he smirked at the girls shyness, finding the irony rather funny; she could face down demons, yet, tender touches get her to blush.
