Petra van Spyk strolled lazily yet purposefully out of the front doors of Hogwarts castle, her eyes fixed on a particular tree at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She couldn't quite see from her location, but she knew that, somewhere in the shadows behind that tree, someone would be lurking; someone would be waiting for her.

She tossed her head, trying not to look back at the castle. If someone was watching her, they would assume she was merely going for a stroll around the Hogwarts grounds, but if she looked back, they would start to wonder. You only looked back if you had something to hide.

She took the path which led down to the lakeshore, thinking that perhaps she could afford to postpone her inevitable meeting for a few minutes longer. She felt butterflies already in her stomach, and knew that, if she showed nerves, things would not happen the way she wanted them to.

The water was stony grey, reflecting the clouds which formed an oppressive layer above Petra's head. Not even the giant squid was venturing out on this cold November morning. The trees in the Forbidden Forest, growing ever nearer, rustled and swayed with the icy breeze.

The shadows and dark spaces between the trees reminded her that, however hard she tried to make everything perfect, something could always go wrong so very easily. Anyone could be behind that tree, with any intention. Petra prided herself on being able to look after herself, but she knew that if someone was out to get her, she didn't stand a chance. She was on very thin ice already, but she knew that she had to do this. If it wasn't for these meetings, her life as she knew it would end.

Secrets were always a risky business. Petra knew that all too well. She was a damn good liar, but no one could hide something from every living soul in the world forever. What made her secret so especially dangerous was that she was keeping it from both sides. In some eyes this would make her neutral, but in others she was an enemy to both. She knew without a doubt that if either side caught a whiff of what she was doing, she would be dead within the week.

But that didn't matter. Petra's first instinct had always been to follow her heart. Her second was to follow her fear. No one had ever quite understood this notion: they thought she meant that she always avoided anything she instinctively feared, but that wasn't it. No, if Petra feared something she would gravitate towards it.

Her philosophy behind this often stupid attraction was this: the more things you confront of your own accord, the less time you will waste running away from them when you could be preparing to fight the next thing with the experience from the risks you had already taken. This theory was initially what had lead her into this situation, and she often wondered whether her carefully thought out plan had a fatal flaw. But then she thought that if anything was to go wrong, she would most likely end up dead, and that didn't bear any dire consequences for anyone except her. And at least this way she would be dying a death she had chosen to die.

Someone looking out of a grimy window saw Petra as she walked across the lawn. They couldn't hear her feet crunching on the autumn leaves, her deep unsteady breaths or her pounding heartbeat. They could only watch as she made her way closer and closer towards the forest. They watched with both curiosity and a feeling of resignation, sighing and wondering why nothing was ever quite as it seemed.

Petra slowed as she approached the trees, staring intently at the shadows which swayed with their living counterparts as the wind whistled between twigs and branches. Petra shivered uncharacteristically, hugging her chocolate brown cloak around herself and throwing the hood up against the cold.

As she looked around her warily, watching for anything out of place, anything that could cause her ultimate downfall, she saw Hagrid the gamekeeper in his pumpkin patch, weeding enthusiastically. She sighed exasperatedly but with a hint of relief as she realised she would have to wait until Hagrid had gone inside his log cabin before she could make her move.

Petra knew a lot of the students taunted Hagrid and laughed at his home, but Petra would give anything to be inside it right now in front of the roaring log fire which she knew must be burning as smoke poured from the chimney. She couldn't use magic to warm herself lest she draw attention from the castle. The last thing she wanted was for Dumbledore to know she was using magic next the Forbidden Forest when by all rights she should be in the staff room in the warmth, chatting to any other teachers or ghosts who happened to be hanging around between lessons.

She sometimes wished she had an Invisibility Cloak, but she knew that, as she had been taught by Albus Dumbledore many times over the years, 'It's strange how short-sighted being invisible can make you.' She really couldn't afford not to notice anyone or anything out of place. Being visible to others was okay so long as they were visible to her. She knew that, the more fear and adrenaline she felt, the sharper her senses would be, and she didn't want them dulled.

Petra watched for a long time, she didn't know how long. Luckily it was the last lesson of the day so she didn't have to worry about getting back to her classroom to teach. Finally, Hagrid put down his spade and returned to his cabin, slamming the heavy wooden door behind him. Petra stood up and, looking around one final time, walked into the forest.

As she stepped behind the tree, as she always did, someone materialised in front of her, causing her to catch her breath.

Up in the castle, the face at the window disappeared.

Argh, apologies for the lateness of the chapter and its pathetic shortness. I've had loads going on and a serious case of writer's block. Anyway, here's the grand entrance of sub-plot number two (where's sub-plot number one, you say? now that'd be telling...) Actually, it wasn't really a grand entrance was it? To be honest it was a bit of a non-entity. But ah well, it's got me going again. I'll probably write the next one fairly soon as I know where I'm going with it. Hopefully...

Angel2510 Well hi Lauren, sorry about the awfulness of the chapter but I thought I owe it to you lot to update, even this crappily. The Matt guy? Yeah, I met him at a gig. He's kinda a combination of two guys - one who was really sweet and his older brother (that's my inspiration for the sexiness hehe) who reckons a five-year age gap is too much. Bollocks! Anyway, I could go on about them for hours...and yes, he'll feature again. Neither of them saved me from a psycho but Mr Sexy did hold on to me in the mosh pit so I didnt't get crushed swoon I'm sorry - I've got no more chapters written but I'll try and write some while I've got some time.

Weird Not Boring Bummer, I thought I was doing okay. Well this hasn't been BETAed but I guess I'll try to find one beforeI bring another (way longer I promise) chapter out. Don't worry, I'm (this term is not mine - I owe it to Lamina Court) a grammar Nazi too. I swear I was an English teacher in a past life. I'm glad you like the plot so far, and I hope sub-plot number two takes your fancy as well.

Sunshine65 Sirius-worshipping can be arranged if you give me a name (either yours or if you think I'm a creepy psycho a made up one) for your character hehe. I'm a real fluff obsessive but I've begun to appreciate the other things in life haha. I could tell you why but it would take several hours and probably make a very boring story...oh no, that's right - I'm writing it now! Seriously, I had actually forgotten that. This is bad. Anyway, thank you so much. How do you mean this story means a lot to you? It obviously means a lot to me too, as it's semi-autobiographical, but I'm interested as to why...if you don't mind telling me, that is :)

HPBeatles Very good point. Well made.

So, that's it for now, but please review and feel free to give me any plot ideas you may have - as I've already said there's a real shortage of inspiration here at the mo. I've got the main plot and a couple of little ones planned out but I'm still working on the little juicy bits - pranks etc. Thanks!

Becca