A woman with pitch black, wavy hair sat comfortably perched on the bed next to her. She woke to see the woman stroking her hair, smiling.

"Oh, Lynnie, you are so beautiful, darling. You know I love you so much, right?"

She looked into the woman's warm brown eyes and smiled back. "Yes Mama, I know. I love you too."

The woman's eyes turned serious. "There's something very important I have to tell you."

She nodded, sitting up in bed. "What is it, Mama?"

"You can't trust him. Remember that."

She furrowed her brows, confused. "Can't trust who, Mama?"

"You know who." The woman's eyes suddenly turned red and her hair disappeared. Her pale blue dress was replaced with a black robe. The now changed figure hovered over her bed menacingly and staring up at it in horror, she screamed.

Lynn sat up in bed, awoken with a start. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with a shaky hand, squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. That exact dream had reoccurred at least once a month ever since Voldemort had returned. Lynn knew it most likely meant nothing, as all dreams did, but it always seemed to leave her with an uneasy feeling. It made no sense either. In it, the woman sitting on her bed was supposedly her mother, however she knew her mother was not a kind woman and was very cruel. That was why she had been saved by Voldemort, to be taken away from people blinded by the idiotic ways of the Light.

Turning over, she looked at the alarm clock on her bedside table. It read 4:30am. Earlier than she would've liked to be awake, but there wasn't much she could do about that now. Tossing her covers off, she grabbed her wand from underneath her pillow, walked over to her chest of drawers and took out her robes for the day. Placing her wand in its holster in her robes, she left her quarters, warded it and left the castle. Sometimes, Lynn thought it was a shame she never got to go to Hogwarts. But then she would remember the amazing chances she was given by Voldemort and how lucky she was to spend so much time with him, learn from the very best. The grounds seemed beautiful, in a haunting kind of way. It was still dark out, but on the horizon line she could see a hint of light and decided to wait for the sunrise. She searched for a peaceful place to sit and watch and decided upon a tree next to the Black Lake. Sitting against the trunk, she stared out on the expansive lake, and took her wand out of her pocket. She began to twirl it in her fingertips, breathing in the cool early morning air.

It was silent for a while, and beautiful. Everything was so still, and unlike the nonstop movement that was Lynn's normal life. She was relishing in the stark contrast of this moment compared to the usual moments Lynn was used to, filled to the brim with some form of bustle. However, the peace and quiet was disturbed by a twig snapping to Lynn's left.

She caught her wand in her fingertips, holding it towards where the sound had come from. There was a slight shake of the leaves near where she had heard it, and though the rational part of her said it was a rabbit, or some creature that lives among the school grounds, Lynn had a feeling it was something else.

"Who's there. Show yourself," she demanded, making sure her voice was authoritative in case it was a teacher or student. When she got no reply, she tried again. "Step out of the bushes, now. I have given you a warning, but I will start shooting hexes if you do not reveal yourself soon."

Lynn prayed she wasn't talking to a flobberworm or whatever creatures wander the forest. But, as she had thought, the figure stepped forward to reveal a Hogwarts uniform. A few moments later, Neville Longbottom was standing in front of the bushes, his wand clutched in his hand and he seemed to be attempting a defiant facial expression.

"Longbottom is it?"

She got a small nod in reply.

"Well then, Mr Longbottom, what are you doing wandering the grounds in the early morning? I'm sure you need sleep to be able to absorb any form of information in your classes," said Lynn, looking him up and down.

"I could ask you the same question, Professor." Longbottom stood up taller and stared defiantly back at his professor.

Lynn narrowed her eyes and took a step towards the boy. "Now, you could, couldn't you, but I don't think you're going to want to, Mr Longbottom. Do you know what you are going to want to do however?"

Seemingly refusing to let go of his supposed bravery, Longbottom didn't so much as gulp. "What, Professor?"

"You're going to want to tell me why you are out here, and then maybe, just maybe, with a valid enough reason I will let you go with minimal punishment. Understood?" Lynn asked, staring pointedly at him.

"Okay. Yes, understood," he paused, looked around her and then back at her face. "I'm out here because I like to be. I go to the greenhouses and check on the plants, and then walk around the grounds for a bit. I always have. No one's usually here to witness me."

Lynn sighed. He was so pathetically nature-loving. But she had an idea. "Alright Mr Longbottom, here's what I'm going to do. If I 'forget' that I saw your here outside of curfew and continue to just miss you should I be out at this hour again, then you will relax on your opposition of the Headmaster. It is important that he is respected as much as his predecessor. Hmm?"

Longbottom seemed to think for a while, and just as Lynn was about to haul him to Severus and deal out punishment, he broke from his thoughts. "Okay, Professor. I, uh, accept your deal."

"Took you long enough boy," she said, turning away from him. "Now go, before I change my mind."

With that, the boy disappeared back into the bushes he came from. Lynn rolled her eyes and left the lake. It was almost time to prepare for breakfast, and she had no intention of being late.

When she arrived at the dining hall it was the beginning of breakfast, so only the teachers and a few early bird students, including Longbottom, were present. Lynn was met with the strongest of glares from all the staff, bar Severus and the Carrows. So, news had gotten around that she was a Death Eater. Her eyes flicked over to where Minerva McGonagall was death staring her from behind her plate of eggs. If looks could kill, thought Lynn. She walked towards the Head Table as if she noticed nothing and sat at her usual spot next to Severus and Filius Flitwick. Though this time the Charms Professor seemed to be attempting to sit as far away as he could from her while still remaining seated.

Deliberately ignoring the withering glances she was being given, Lynn placed some bacon onto her plate. "How are you this morning, Severus?"

Severus looked up from the bowl of porridge that he was eating in front of him. "I am as well as I can be, Professor Davids," his tone was polite, however the scowl she was given- most likely for interacting with him when he seemed like he would like nothing less- proved otherwise.

Determined to keep going, she turned to Professor McGonagall a seat over from Severus.

"And you Minerva, how is your morning going?"

For a split second, Lynn was sure McGonagall was going to murder her right then and there with the fork she was clutching so tightly in her hand. "I am well," she bit out coldly.

Seemingly satisfied with herself, Lynn resorted to silence and continued to eat the breakfast she had placed on the plate in front of her.

Slowly, students trickled in, none looking very much excited for their first day back. They didn't seem to want to linger too long in the hall, and most hurried in, ate quickly and left within fifteen minutes. After waiting around a while, watching everyone come and go, Lynn left the Hall to prepare for her first lesson at Hogwarts. And of course, she had the seventh years which, lucky her, included one Neville Longbottom.

A/N aaaaand there's chapter 2. sorry about the slight lateness on it! anyway, the next chapter will most likely be in a week as well, or something close to that. hope you enjoyed!

- favouriteyellowsweater xox