Hello my loyal readers! Thank you for your patience with the last chapter.. it's been a crazy few weeks but I wanted to make sure I delivered a high-quality chapter in Amber's tale as usual. I love reading your reviews and your speculations and can't wait to add more to this story. Enjoy!

Lily turned her huge green eyes onto me in disbelief. "Did he say… is that Professor Smith's daughter?"

But James and Sirius had eyes only for Mara, who was waving briefly at her chair before sitting down. They exchanged wide-eyed looks of dizzy wonder.

"I can't wait for class." James said happily.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts is my new favorite subject, hands down." Sirius agreed.

I rolled my eyes. "She's twenty-two. She's old enough to be your sister."

"Or girlfriend." Sirius said slyly, and James slapped him on the back, grinning.

"I didn't know Professor Smith had any children." Remus said, frowning slightly. "She does look like her. Without the scar."

I nodded, watching as Mara turned her full attention back to Dumbledore, who began to speak once more. She looked very much like her mother, but there were a few distinct differences. The long, cruel scar that cut across Professor Smith's face was absent on her daughter's, and her eyes were much darker than Professor Smith's light, pale green eyes. Mara's hair was darker as well. But otherwise, it felt like staring at a twenty-years-younger version of my former teacher.

"What do you think we call her?" James added. "Mara?"
"Dream girl?" Sirius offered. "Future wife?"

Lily reached over and slapped Sirius on the arm. "Professor Smith, obviously."

"But there's already been one!" James complained. "I'm getting confused already."

"No surprise, considering your brain is about the size of a walnut." Lily said coldly.

"Now that all announcements are in order, I believe it is time for bed. Pip, pip!" Dumbledore dismissed us so suddenly that it took a few confused seconds before students started rising from their seats en masse. Prefects escorted nervous-looking first years from the Hall, like mother hens leading their chicks.

"Blimey," James said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I don't remember being that small. Are you sure they just aren't making them travel-sized now?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow, Amber. Good night, Remus." She dipped her head at Peter, but acted again as if James and Sirius weren't there. She swept past us, her long tail of red hair dancing behind her.

I noticed James staring after her with a hungry expression. I snapped my fingers three times before he came to.

"Huh… what?" James said stupidly.

"Someone's got it bad for Evans." Sirius snickered, as James readjusted his glasses.

"Nah… she's pretty, though, isn't she? I mean, it's not hard to see why she's so popular. Do you think she's single?" He tacked on hopefully.

I grinned, glad for once that my cousin and my best friend had decided to start penning letters to each other in the last part of the summer holiday. "Actually, no. She's kind of seeing someone."

James flared up at once, like a beta fish staring down a finger on the glass of his tank. "What do you mean? Who?" He looked around aggressively at the flow of students leaving the Hall, belligerent.

I laughed. "That's her business, not mine."

James looked furious. "But you're her best mate! Come on, you've got to tell me. I have to know who it is."

"So you can hex him the next time you see him? I don't think so." I gave a huge yawn and dramatically spread my arms, accidentally hitting Remus in the process. "I think I'll head up to my tower now. Good night, boys."

"Wait, Amber!" James pleaded. "Come on! The bonds of Marauderhood are sacred! You can't just go!"

I winked and let the flow of the crowd sweep me away.

The trek up to Ravenclaw Tower had to be the longest commute of any House. I watched as several Slytherins parted from the crowd in the threshold and made their way down towards the dungeons. The Hufflepuffs headed towards the entrance to the kitchens. The Gryffindors walked in tandem with the Ravenclaws to the seventh floor up the moving staircases, at which point the Ravenclaws filed down a long corridor to the west side of the castle. Ten minutes later, the tall spiral staircase leading up to Ravenclaw Tower opened itself around a bend in the corridor. I noticed the black wrought-iron railings and remembered finding Peter on the floor three years ago, after he'd fallen from the stairs, which hadn't had railings up until that point. Shivering at the memory of his blood pooling across the marble floor, I started up the long, winding spiral staircase. The higher I went up, the more I could see through the tiny windows cut into the walls of the spire. The large thunderstorm I'd seen from a distance at Hogsmeade Station was closing in on Hogwarts; lightning flashed from cloud to cloud and rolls of thunder made the steps beneath me tremble.

At last, I reached the top landing of the Tower. The imposing solid door did not have a keyhole or a doorknob. Instead, there was a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle in the center of the door. I lifted the heavy bronze ring once and let it fall against the knocker.

A cool voice drifted from the beak of the eagle, "What has hands but cannot clap?"

I frowned, thinking hard for half a minute. "A clock."

"Very good!" The door swung open. I stepped across the threshold into the circular Common Room, my nose immediately filled with the scent of books, wind, and faintly of lavender. Tables, chairs, and bookcases filled the room, which was carpeted with midnight-blue. The domed ceiling was painted to look like the night sky, complete with moving constellations that mirrored the realtime locations. The sky was always clear in the Common Room, regardless of weather outside.

Even though I was tired, my mind was still racing, filled with the events of my nightmare from the previous night. In addition, I now had the contents of the dementor's presence burned into my mind. Even worse, I couldn't stop thinking about Remus and the soft weight of his lips on my cheek, or the strong feel of his hands anchoring me to him.

I shook my head vigorously, trying to dislodge the thoughts. Stop. Read something to take your mind off of things.

So I selected the first book off the closest bookcase. Unfogging the Future, Unraveling the Past, Volume 4, by Cassandra Vablatsky and Marius Pritchard. It was a heavy, solid-blue book that looked as if it had been around for at least fifty years. Sure enough, when I checked the publication date, it read July 25th, 1923.

I chose a seat by the fireplace, one of the only squashy chairs in the Common Room. Unlike Gryffindor's, which was filled with cushy, springy sofas and armchairs, Ravenclaw's felt more like a formal library that would be found in the building of the Minister of Magic. Square golden pillows had been placed perfectly on each couch, and I went around the room flinging them pell-mell across the sitting surfaces, so they were disorganized. It looked much more homey that way.

Sitting down, I opened the book to the first chapter, which was presented in a Bohemian-style. Words were not in a rectangular, uniform fashion down the pages. They were jumbled together, much like the Daily Prophet, and had slowly-moving pictures and captions to go with them. I scanned through the first paragraph of chapter one.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to foresee events of the future? Or wanted to recall lost pieces of time from the past? For many, this is only a dream, a wish. But for those who study the mystical subject of Divination, it is found that these dreams are actually doorways to reality. One only needs to learn how to open them. Dreams, visions, crystal ball gazing, tea leaves, and palmistry are just a few avenues of unfogging the future, and unraveling the past.

Sighing in haphazard relief, I let myself become lost in the pages filled with information about Divination. I absorbed as much as I could, trying to push out the more troubling thoughts of my past day. I hardly noticed as the rest of my House filed past and headed off to bed. My eyes were getting heavy and itchy with fatigue, but I didn't want to stop reading. I was on the tenth chapter, and if I read the next twenty, I would have finished the entire book.

Just a little more… one more chapter… I told myself wearily as I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay awake. The words on the pages were beginning to blur together in small black lines. I blinked slowly, and then kept my eyes closed.

Just a minute… just to rest my eyes…

I felt the pressure of wind blowing across my face. I opened my eyes blearily, squinting in the darkness. Stars glimmered above my head, peaceful and distant. Tall, triangular pine trees cut a skyline through the night, and an owl hooted nearby.

I frowned, pushing myself up into a sitting position. This couldn't be right. I had fallen asleep in the Ravenclaw Common Room. So how was I here now, in the middle of what looked like a forest?

I shivered, a silvery cloud of air billowing out from my mouth. I rubbed my arms, realizing only then how cold I was. I looked down, trying to see myself in the darkness. I groped for my wand, which was in my pocket, and whispered, "Lumos."

The wand tip ignited at once. The iridescent blue light illuminated my close surroundings. I wasn't wearing my school robes anymore; I was down to just my red plaid dress that I had worn this morning on the way to school. My hair was still braided in a fishtail, but I felt twigs and pine needles stuck in my hair. My heart began to throb, sending pulses of fear through me like ice water.

I sucked in several deep breaths, trying to calm down. In through the nose, out through the mouth. I repeated this for a full minute until my racing heart eased back to a normal rhythm. I blinked several times, confused. My vision, which had been obscured by blackness, was now gray. I could clearly see the shapes of coniferous pine trees, the kinds that grew high up in the mountains and wilderness, surrounding me on every side. I could see the details of tall wheat grass and flowers. I seemed to be sitting in some kind of small clearing.

Even though I knew it was dark, I could still see. Everything was in drained gray color. And it clicked: my eyes.

Just like when they had turned tawny-amber over the summer, I instinctively knew they had changed again just now. It was a side-effect of becoming an Animagus. And like James had guessed: I was likely turning into some kind of bird, perhaps an owl or an eagle or even a feline. Something that had night vision.

Rising up on my feet, I extinguished my wand with a "Nox" and crept through the undergrowth. I had no idea where I was, but the species of pine tree was very similar to the kinds that grew near Hogwarts. Part of me had been entertaining the idea that this was just a dream up until that point, when I froze, my hand on the bark of a pine tree trunk.

I had been sleepwalking. Again.

I realized I must be somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. I looked around, swallowing hard, making sure that I was alone. Professor Kettleburn had taught us what kinds of creatures lived here last year. Bowtruckles, unicorns, thestrals, centaurs, hippogriffs, griffins, werewolves, and acromantulas, to name a few.

I shivered at the thought of the last two. I had no idea where I was, and knew that my only chance was to either wait to be rescued, or find my way back out.

I had no memory of coming out into the forest in the first place, so I tucked my wand in my belt and began scaling a thickly-branched pine tree. The limbs became thinner and less steady as I climbed, but I didn't need to go too high up. Once I was thirty or so feet off the ground, I turned and faced outward.

It wasn't hard to spot the looming mass of Hogwarts. The castle glinted in the distance, maybe a mile from where I was. It was downhill, and judging by the location of the North Star, it was due west. Smiling faintly, I promised to profusely thank my Care of Magical Creatures professor and my Astronomy professor when I arrived back at the castle. I also knew I needed to heed Lily's advice and talk to Dumbledore right away once I made it back to the castle. The fact that I had managed to leave the school, even with the numerous magical protections placed upon it, marred the excitement of being outdoors. Something was wrong with the enchantments. Worse, something was clearly wrong with me.

I shook my head as I started to descend the tree. I hadn't used to enjoy sneaking out until I met James and Sirius. Even now, I was surprised at the lack of worry and panic. Instead, I felt the rush of adrenaline and excitement. I knew it was dangerous to be out here alone, but something else made it heady and addictive.

Definitely need to talk to Dumbledore, I thought wryly as I made it to the base of the tree. I pulled my wand back out and said, "Point Me."

The ash wand spun and stopped, quivering, pointing north. The thick canopy of trees blocked out any stars or moonlight, but now I knew which way to go to get back to school. I set off confidently, wondering what James and Sirius would say when I told them what I had done in the morning.

I had gone about a quarter-mile when I smelled woodsmoke. I paused, sniffing the air. It was strong, drifting on the stagnant air. I peered through the tall spires of branchless pine trees, trying to make out the source of the smoke, when I heard a distant mumble of voices. They were too far away to distinguish words, but they were unmistakably human.

A new rush of heat surged through me. What if it was the Slytherins? What if Avery, Nott, and Regulus (and maybe Snape) had decided to relocate their little meetings to outside the school? Could they have bypassed security too? Was that them now, speaking in the depths of the dark trees?

A part of me warned me that it was bad enough I had woken up in the middle of the Forbidden Forest in the dead of night. It was already bad enough - and a little scary - that my new sleepwalking habit had carried me so far away from the safety of Hogwarts. My better judgment told me this was dangerous and I needed to get back to school. Now.

But then another part of me egged me on. I was already out of school boundaries. I was awake and I could see in the darkness. Why not go investigate? Why not catch the Slytherins in the act of supporting the Dark Arts and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Why not push a little farther, why not get a little closer to the fire?

It wasn't easy, listening to the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. My palms were slick with nervous sweat. I chewed on my lip, uncertain. What did I want to do?

Do you want to find out what they're up to, or go to the Headmaster?

I made up my mind in that moment. Ignoring the voice in my head that warned me against it, I changed course and stalked toward the scent of smoke and the sound of voices. It grew stronger and stronger with every step, and my heart pounded a war drum in response.

I could start to catch pieces of conversation and I neared the smell of fire. I heard "soon", "justice", and "Voldemort" as I came closer. I was approaching a ravine and halted at the lip of the edge. It dropped off steeply into a deep gully, where I spotted at least ten people huddled around a large fire. I leaned against a tree, its roots creeping down the side of the ravine. Then, without warning, as if someone had shut off a lightswitch, my vision blacked out.

I blinked several times. The bright and gray view I had seen was gone. Now, my eyes picked up what normal, dull eyes could: hardly anything. Being this deep into the Forbidden Forest meant it was nearly pitch-black. I fought against a rise of panic climbing the ladder of my spine. I could see what the fire illuminated with dull brass light, but everything around me was as black as obsidian.

I was in the dark again.

Before I could start to kick for myself for making this stupid decision, a huge man approached the flames. I could see him clearly from my vantage point. He was tall, burly, and his figure was strangely familiar. I was trying to place him when he spread his large hands and spoke in a deep, harsh, rasping tone that made my mouth fall open.

I had heard this "person" talk in the kitchen of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place over a year ago. It was the voice of Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf who had attacked Remus.

"Greetings, my brothers and sisters." Fenrir rasped, his voice carrying up the curved walls of the ravine to me. "I am pleased to see that you have all made it here safely tonight."

There was a chorus of mutters and what sounded like growls. I felt the hair rising on the back of my neck. Who were those people down there? I definitely didn't recognize anyone my age, or who was young enough to attend Hogwarts.

"Most of what you have heard is true." He growled. "The Dark Lord is looking for new recruits. Many of you remember three years ago when we came to us in the woods during our meeting under the half-moon. He offered us freedom in exchange for pledging allegiance to him."

A man leapt to his feet. "He lies! This isn't the first time he's offered something with no intent to return."

Several muttered agreement. Greyback gave a harsh barking laugh.

"Name one instance of that, McLaren." Greyback challenged. "Name one time when the Dark Lord recanted or didn't make good upon his promise."

The man, McLaren, hesitated. "I've been told by others…"

Greyback ignored him. "For all of our lives, we've been held back in the world by wizards and Muggles alike. It's time for our kind to come forth in the world."

"Of course, you aren't talking about just yourselves, are you?" A cold voice demanded, and I felt my legs go weak.

What was Mulciber doing down there?

The former Slytherin had shaved his hair nearly to his scalp. Several tattoos covered where bare skin had once been, and he looked ten years older than when I had last seen him. At the sound of his voice, my head began to throb. It was the same vice-like grip that had plagued me on King's Cross Station.

I stifled a moan and bit my lip, trying to listen to the group in the ravine. It was important that I relay the information to Dumbledore, whatever it was.

After a solid minute of keeping myself from crying out in pain, new words drifted to me from the ravine. Greyback was speaking again.

"...we aren't expecting overnight success, but the Dark Lord has a plan. He's already been successful in disrupting the lives of wizards and Muggles alike. He's building an army to take back what is ours."

A sound like a war cry rose from the people gathered by the fire. Goosebumps erupted across my flesh.

"Pledge your loyalty to the Dark Lord!" Greyback roared, and a second howl of agreement rose from the group. "And you will be rewarded!"

"Wait!" A harsh female voice cut across the feral din. "I think there's someone here. I can smell human."

I was watching Mulciber and the back of his shaved head, jolted by fear at the woman's proclamation, when I felt a curious sensation spreading throughout my body. Instead of fear and pain, I felt light and dreamy. I shook my head, confused, as the sensation spread.

Come out of the shadows… come into the ravine…

No. I thought clumsily, as I heard the group grow quiet. I heard a snuffling noise, but felt strangely indifferent to the sound.

"I smell a human ttoo." Greyback growled. "A female."

Come into the ravine… we have warmth. The voice in my head urged.

I panted, part of me fighting back against the voice. No… no. I can't. It's dangerous.

We won't hurt you. Come down.

There was a sharp gasp. "I think… no. I think it's that girl. The one that Folsom's after!"

There was a loud commotion. I could feel myself push away from the tree, take a few steps toward the edge of the ravine. Below, the ten people were jumping to their feet, sniffing the air, some with wands out.

Get down here. Come down, and you'll feel nothing but bliss. Come down.

I extended a leg over the edge of the ravine. The heat from the fire touched my skin, chased away the chill of the forest. Just a few more steps… come into the light where I can see you…

"Don't do it." A quiet voice whispered in my ear. I turned, confused, and saw the grayish outline of a young man floating inches above the ground. My mouth fell open slightly. The shimmering, translucent figure gave off an unearthly chill. I had seen many just like him at school. It was a ghost.

"Don't do it." The ghost repeated.

I shook my head fiercely. I won't!
The blissful feeling dissolved. Fear and realization rushed back full-force, and I backed against the darkness of the tree, hiding myself from the view of the people below in the ravine. I was starting to realize now the magnitude of the danger I had put myself in. My heart hammered painfully against my ribs, and I was sure the ghost could hear the frantic beating of life within me as I scrambled to make a getaway plan.

The ghost hovered above the ground, regarding me with blank eyes. They were like the windows of an abandoned house, vacant and hollow. I had seen him before somewhere, a long time ago. My mind stretched, trying to reach the memory.

"I know you." I said slowly, keeping my voice down. "I saw you… back in the Common Room. In my first year. You made the lights go out. You frightened me."

The young man merely looked at me. "Yes."

I swallowed against the dryness in my throat. "Why are you here? What's your name?"

The ghost didn't reply. He silently drifted past, floating through the trees like they weren't there.

I bit my lip. I could hear the people in the ravine scattering, coming to look for me. I had to make a decision now: did I follow the ghost, or find my own way back to school?

Something about the ghost made me trust him. Maybe because he'd brought me out of whatever trance I'd been in. I tried not to dwell on the thought that it could have been the Imperius Curse. But hadn't that been the symptoms, as Professor Smith had described them?

"Someone's up there!" A male voice said sharply. "I can smell her! On that side!"

"Get her! Bring her down alive!" Mulciber's voice cut through my frozen body, and I pelted after the ghost, who was drifting farther away like a comet sailing through the night sky.

I didn't care about the noise I was making. I leapt over fallen logs and let twigs slap my face. All I cared about was putting as much distance between me and the group of Lord Voldemort's supporters as possible.

I could hear them, distantly, crashing through the undergrowth, yelling to each other. I hurtled after the ghost, who was moving astonishingly fast, through the blackness of the Forest. The faint light that he gave off just enough illumination so that I could avoid trees, but not enough to keep me from getting scratched by brambles and thorns.

Without warning, I found myself smacking into a wall of solid air. I was thrown backwards onto my bottom, my lip already swelling and bleeding. I stared up in disbelief.

The protective enchantments. Clearly, it was possible to leave Hogwarts, but to enter meant something completely different.

I couldn't hear anyone behind me, but that didn't mean I was alone. Frantically, I banged on the invisible wall with both fists. "Let me in!" I begged to no one in particular. "Please! Help!"

But no one came. Even though I was on the edge of the forest, right near the fringe of grass, I was locked out.

I leaned against the wall, shaking. What was I going to do? I couldn't stay the night out here. Not when I had been discovered by supporters of the Dark Lord. Especially when Mulciber and Greyback were in the ranks.

I was about to formulate a new plan when I heard a snapping noise from the depths of the darkness. I peered over my shoulder, my wand gripped tightly in my hand. I could feel a cold drop of sweat sliding down my back between my shoulder blades. If I had to, I would fight my way out. Even if I had to duel to the death.

And then inspiration struck. If I couldn't get through the protective enchantments, did the same hold true for something else? Something like... a Patronus?

I focused on the moment I had won my first Quidditch game with the Ravenclaw Team. And then, because I was desperate, I added a twist to the memory: Remus kissing me.

"Expecto Patronum." I whispered into the darkness. A huge silver griffin burst from the end of my wand and soared through the air, coming to stand before me. It was over three feet taller than my head.

"Go tell whoever you can find that I need help. Tell… tell Dumbledore! Or anyone who can help. I'm trapped outside the castle in the Forest and I think I'm about to be attacked." Even as I said the words, a cold jolt of fear shot from my head to my feet. The griffin soared through the protective barrier and away into the castle.

I watched it go, feeling strangely alone now, when I heard another snapping noise. It was much closer than the first one. Wishing I had James' Invisibility Cloak, I dropped to my knees and crawled through the underbrush to hide myself behind a large stump. I missed the Patronus's company. It had been vibrant and light, bringing a sense of security and peace. But I knew it was better than I had sent it away for help rather than have it linger here, giving away my location to anyone who could see its bright light through the thick shroud of black trees.

I didn't hear any more snapping noises. After a minute of silence, there was a soft hoot of an owl and then the distant howl of a wolf. I shivered in the cold and counted the seconds ticking by.

A light shivered near the base of the castle. I crouched lower, keeping myself hidden, my wand clutched tightly in my hand. I hardly dared to breath. The only sound now was the thundering beat of my pulse in my ears. The light came closer, and I realized it was an ignited wand tip. The carrier halted ten feet from me, the iridescent blue light illuminating her face. Dark eyes swept out like searchlights into the shadowy forest, and I knew I had to reveal myself.

Every protective instinct screamed in protest, but I forced myself to stand up. The young woman carrying the wand signaled for me to come forward. I did, hurrying, not wanting to stay in the dangerous forests any longer. I felt the air shimmer as I passed through; Mara had clearly undone whatever enchantments had been put into place so that I could come back inside.

"Well," Mara said coolly as I re-entered Hogwarts, her breath billowing out in smoky clouds of mist, "I'd ask how you got out here, but you won't tell me, will you?"

I pursed my lips, still trembling from a mixture of adrenaline and cold. "I need to talk to Dumbledore."

Mara smirked, shaking her head slightly. "You know, for a Ravenclaw, you aren't very wise. You seem like you cause a lot of trouble. Sneaking out across the grounds after hours, wandering through the Forbidden Forest hours after being attacked by a dementor… I'm impressed."

I felt annoyance at her amusement as we walked in tandem back to the castle. Even though she was only twenty-two, I felt safer in her presence, as if she was a much more formidable witch than I'd originally given her credit for. After all, hadn't Dumbledore said he'd conducted a wide search for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Mara must have been an exceptional witch to quality for the position, especially in such uncertain times.

"I guess I should expect to be chided by my professor." I said drilly as we walked over the lawns. "Considering you were a prefect and a Head Girl."

To my surprise, Mara let out a laugh. "That would be Professor Smith Senior. I wasn't a prefect or Head Girl."

I frowned, puzzled. "Why not?"

"My Head of House said I lacked certain qualities needed for the job." Mara said casually as we ascended the stone steps leading into the castle.

"Like what?" I asked, intrigued.

"Like the ability to behave myself." Mara said brightly.

I laughed. So maybe Mara wasn't like her mother. Willow Smith had been straightlaced and somber. Mara seemed sarcastic, witty, and enthusiastic.

"Who was Head of Hufflepuff in your time?" I asked her as we wended our way through the dark and deserted corridors toward Dumbledore's office. Now that I was back inside the safety and warmth of the castle, I felt my strength and wits returning to me.

Mara snickered. "I wasn't in Hufflepuff. My mother was, and so was my cousin, Sean. He fancies you very much, you know. Don't look at me like that, it's obvious to anyone!" She laughed at my stricken expression.

"Wait." I said slowly. "What do you mean you weren't in Hufflepuff? Which House were you in?"

Mara tossed her long sweep of dark brown hair over one shoulder. Her green eyes were so dark they almost looked black. "Slytherin."

I stopped. I couldn't help it. I stared at her, completely shocked. Of all the Houses, that had been the absolute last one I had expected Professor Smith's daughter to be in.

"Oh, don't give me that look." Mara said sharply, raising her brow. "Not all Slytherins are bad, you know. We get a bad rap, but Merlin was a Slytherin. And Professor Slughorn. He's brilliant. The most brilliant Potions master of the century, if you ask me. Oh, come on, Amber. Don't look at me like I'm some kind of monster."

I tried to rearrange my face into a softer expression. "I'm… sorry." I managed. "I just didn't expect…"

Mara shrugged. "Eh. Common reaction. Slytherin's had its fair share of Dark wizards, but it's a House that focuses on ambition, cunning, resourcefulness, and self-preservation. Do you really think I'm going to run after You-Know-Who just because I'm a Slytherin?"

"Well… no." I admitted.

Mara flashed a smile. "Good. It's easy to judge us, but it comes with the territory. Oh, here we are." She said brightly, and I realized we had come to stand before the stone gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office.

I realized then, how late the hour must be, and felt a surge of shame. "I didn't… I hope I'm not waking him." I said lamely.

Mara made a noise. "I don't think it really matters. He's the boss. Getting woken up in the middle of the night should be in the job description. Pepper imps." She added, and the gargoyle sprang aside.

I followed her up the winding stone staircase into Dumbledore's cathedral-like office. The portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistresses snored in their sleep behind his desk. Dumbledore was standing in front of a podium, his back to us. Fawkes the phoenix gave a low, musical cry and soared from his golden perch to my shoulder. I held stock-still, unsure of what to do. His warm weight was strangely comforting, and I hesitantly lifted a hand to stroke his brilliant feathers.

"I found her, Professor." Mara informed the Headmaster, who turned at the sound of her voice. His electric-blue eyes pierced me, and I felt a second wave of embarrassment and shame.

"Thank you, Mara." He said. "I received your Patronus, Amber. May I say I am very impressed with the fact that you were able to conjure a corporeal Patronus in addition to having it relay a message for you. I'll be speaking with Professor Flitwick about your Charms work."

I shuffled on my feet, unsure of what to say.

Dumbledore nodded to Mara. "Good night, Mara."

Mara gave a small wave. "Good night, Professor." She gave me a half-stern, half-amused expression as she swept out of the room, leaving us alone.

The silence was suddenly as thick as cold custard. I wanted to tell Dumbledore what had happened, but I was still perplexed as to how I had even managed to skirt the security measures around the castle in the first place.

Dumbledore spread his hands. "Why don't you have a seat."

I sat.

The Headmaster moved behind his desk, conjuring a ceramic teapot and two teacups. I remembered Professor Smith doing the exact same thing last year in her office, after Mulciber had used the Cruciatus Curse on me.

"I know the hour is late," Dumbledore said in a conversational tone, "but I always feel that a proper cup of tea can soothe the mind and the body. Would you care for some?"

I nodded. "Yes, please." Fawkes nuzzled my cheek as I spoke, and I stroked his crimson plumage in response. This seemed to be what the phoenix had wanted, since he started to hum a low melody that filled the room with soft music.

Dumbledore poured two steaming mugs of tea. It smelled like lavender. I took my cup gratefully, the hot cup warming my cold hands. I noticed, for the first time, how filthy my hands were. Black was encrusted underneath the nails. Cuts stung on my cheek and exposed skin. I had just run through the Forbidden Forest, and I probably looked like a complete mess. I tried to help my unkempt appearance by redoing my braid, but I had never learned how, and instead let the wild tangles spring free and hang down my back.

"Tell me what happened tonight." Dumbledore prompted, and I felt as if my tongue had tied itself in knots. I took a sip of tea and nearly scalded my mouth.

"It was… strange." I began uncertainly, unable to meet his electric blue gaze. "I fell asleep in the Ravenclaw Common Room, but then I woke up in the middle of the Forest. I don't know how I got there."

Dumbledore listened impassively as I recounted navigating my way through the dark trees and stumbled upon the rogue group of Dark Arts supporters. I included the appearance of the ghost, but left out the fact that I could see in the dark (thanks to my ongoing transition into becoming an Animagus).

"And then Mara brought me to your office." I finished, my cup of tea almost gone. Dumbledore refilled it for me. He sat for awhile, steepling his fingers together, his expression unreadable.

"Is that it?" He asked quietly.

I blinked. "Yes, I suppose so, sir."

His electric blue eyes pierced me. "Have you been having any more nightmares or dreams that you can't explain?"

I stared at him, feeling the blood draining from my face. "There was something. On the train. I saw things I've never seen before when that thing - that dementor - showed up. I saw my own worst memories, but then there were… other things."

Dumbledore nodded. "Would you confide in me what exactly you saw?"

I hesitated, unwilling to rehash the gore of what I'd seen. But Lily had insisted I tell Dumbledore, if I didn't tell anyone else.

I took a deep breath, my fists clenched in my lap. "I saw two dead men. One was hanging from a tree. The other had his throat cut. And then I saw a dead woman. There was another man, crying over her. And I saw… I saw Angelina."

Dumbledore's face remained impassive. I swallowed, sensing that he wanted me to continue.

"I don't know why I saw any of them. I found Angelina, but she was looking at me like… well, like I'd been the one who killed her."

My words dropped to the ground, heavy as stones. Dumbledore poured another cup of tea for the both of us and sipped before answering.

"Can you remember any detail of what those other people looked like? What they were wearing, what they looked like?"

I frowned. So far, I had not. I squinted, trying to remember, but it was all a flash in my mind. I couldn't make it stay still.

"I'm sorry, Amber. I should have made my meaning clear. You can siphon your memory from your mind with your wand and we can view it in the Pensieve." He pointed to a shimmering basin full of silvery water in the corner, a partition partially blocking it from view.

I blanched. "How do I do that, sir?"

Dumbledore withdrew his own wand and tapped the tip to his temple. "Focus on what you are trying to do. Let the memory flow. Once it releases, bring it to the Pensieve and drop it in."

"Are you going to watch my memory with me, sir?" I said uncertainly.

Dumbledore merely looked at me. "Surely there is nothing you wish to hide from me?"

I felt a flash of indignation. "Of course not, sir."

Dumbledore watched as I pressed my ash wand to the side of forehead. I felt a twinge of trepidation at the task, but closed my eyes and focused on what I had dreamt. When it was clearly in my mind's eye, I gently and very slowly moved the wand away from my forehead. I felt nothing.

"Very good." Dumbledore said softly, and when I opened my eyes at his voice, I realized there was a long strand of silvery light attached to the tip of my wand.

Moving as if I was holding a grenade, I ambled over to the Pensieve and hesitantly gave the wand a small flick. The strand of silver light fluttered to the surface of the shimmering water and began to swirl very fast.

Dumbledore approached the basin, the ghostly light reflecting on his lined face. "Shall we?"

I nodded, hand twitching at my side. I did not want to see my ghastly nightmare again, but didn't know how to tell Dumbledore this.

As if reading my mind, the Headmaster's blue gaze connected with mine over the Pensieve. "You do not need to accompany me, Amber. You may wait here."

Relief washed through me. "Thank you, sir."

Dumbledore gave a small smile and plunged his face into the water. Fawkes gave a low cry and ruffled his long feathers, his warmth expanding into my body. I waited nervously for him to resurface.

It felt like an hour had passed by the time Dumbledore pulled his face away from the Pensieve, but when I glanced at the clock in the corner, barely five minutes had eclipsed. Without looking at me, he walked back to his desk and paced restlessly behind it.

I knew this wasn't a good sign. Chewing my lower lip, I approached his desk, unnerved. "Professor?"

Dumbledore looked like he was in deep thought. He crossed his hands behind his back, pacing and pacing.

"Is this the first time you've dreamt of those people?" He asked. "The two dead men and the dead woman? Not Miss Azadian?"

"The first time I've dreamt about the men, yeah." I told him uneasily. "But not the woman. I've dreamt about her before. Sir, I saw them on the train too, during the dementor attacks. Why? I don't understand."

Dumbledore let out a small sigh. "I'm afraid I do not have an answer for you, Miss Harkstone. However," he said at my crestfallen expression, "I will be asking Madam Pomfrey to prescribe something for you to sleep and not sleepwalk. I can't have you wandering about the castle after curfew, especially if your dreams take you into the dangers of the Forbidden Forest."

I grinned sheepishly. It felt like he had everything under control, that I no longer had anything to worry about. "I suppose I should see her now?"

"No," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, pulling on his long silver beard. "Since it is nearly morning, I would daresay you'll be able to stay awake until breakfast. But I would like for you to see her before bed tomorrow. Understood?"

I was surprised that he hadn't taken points from Ravenclaw for my sleepwalking. In fact, if anything, Dumbledore wasn't even giving me a slap on the wrist. Then again, it wasn't really my fault that I was sleepwalking. It was purely subconscious.

Then again… the fact that I was sleepwalking and had intruded upon the Dark Lord's supporters seemed frightening enough without adding punishment to it. I shivered, trying not to think about what would have happened if any of them had caught me, especially Greyback or Mulciber.

"You may go." Dumbledore said, moving toward one of his many curious silver instruments displayed throughout the room. "Mara is waiting to escort you back to Ravenclaw Tower by the gargoyle."

I hesitated at the door. Even though I knew he had seen it and not mentioned it, Angelina persisted in my mind.

"Sir," I said quietly, "how did Angelina die? They never told us in the Daily Prophet."

Dumbledore touched a spindly, many-legged instrument that tinkled to life. "The Killing Curse was used on her."

I felt a thrill of horror run up my spine. "Then… it was quick? And painless? She didn't feel anything?"

Dumbledore looked over at me now, and again, I felt pinned by his electric blue gaze. "No one knows for sure. No one has ever survived the Killing Curse."

I shuffled once on my feet. A strange feeling of guilt nagged at my conscious, but I couldn't understand why. "I wish I could have saved her. She shouldn't have died."

Dumbledore nodded once, looking tired and sad. "Good night, Miss Harkstone."

Recognizing a dismissal, I turned to descend the spiral staircase. Fawkes nuzzled my ear once with his warm beak and flew back to his brass perch. Despite the lateness of the hour, I felt wide-awake and as if my mind was overflowing with what I had seen both in dreams and in reality.

Mara was waiting for me at the gargoyle, just as Dumbledore had promised. She raised a brow at my expression.

"He's a funny one, isn't he?" Mara said critically as we began the walk back to Ravenclaw Tower. "Brilliant and powerful, but I've always found him to be a little weird."

"Yeah, I guess." I answered automatically. I felt trapped by my own mind. A shiver of horror crawled up my arms. If I wasn't able to tell the difference between dreams and reality, then where was I safe? I was a prisoner in my own mind and body.

"Hey." Mara said seriously, halting. "I know I'm a teacher now and everything, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Something tells me you've got a lot more on your mind than just boys."

I smiled wryly. "Thanks, but I think I should just get to bed."

"Suit yourself." Mara said indifferently. "Just know the offer is there. Oh, and you might want these." She said as she conjured several small glass vials in midair and handed them to me.

"Why in Merlin's beard would I want these?" I said increduously.

Mara rolled her dark green eyes. "You're supposed to be a Ravenclaw. No? Okay. Well, if you need to unburden your mind, you can always take those thoughts from your mind and put them away in these vials for later."

I remembered the subtle relief I'd felt after extracting a memory for Dumbledore. "Oh. Well, thanks."

"Don't mention it." She peered closely at me, reminding me so much of her mother that I almost called her Willow. "You know, you really shouldn't worry so much. Everything's going to work out for the best. And I agree that Remus is cute, but I think you and my cousin would work out much better."

I gaped at her, my face reddening like a tomato. "Excuse me?"

Mara grinned shamelessly. "I should probably mention that I'm a really good Legilimens. Probably one of the best in the world. I'm not trying to brag, it's just a fact. Mum says I'm a better Legilimens than Dumbledore."

I continued to stare, feeling the color draining away from my face. "How… I don't…"

"Passing my O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.s were easy." Mara went on slyly as we approached the Tower. "I could answer most of the questions easily, but if I was stumped, all I had to do was use Legilimency against someone who knew what they were doing and I passed."

"Why are you telling me this?" I managed weakly. "You could get in trouble for cheating!"

Mara chuckled. "Oh, I don't think so. They quiz you on academia, but I think you're also being tested for how well you can use magic. That's what we're all learning here at Hogwarts, anyway. This is your stop."

I looked up at the winding black staircase and clutched the glass bottles a little tighter. I gave Mara an apprehensive look, still a little suspicious of her enthusiastic demeanor. Even though she looked very much like her mother, her bright and sly personality clashed with Professor Smith's straight-laced and formal facade.

"Good night, Amber." Mara said as I started climbing. "Don't forget to check for ghosts! Peeves can be downright nasty."

I waved once in acknowledgement. More than anything, I wanted to follow her advice and rid my overburdened mind of its turbulent thoughts. I didn't want to think about what I had accidentally witnessed in the Forest, or about the dead men and woman in my dreams. Most of all, I wanted to know why Angelina Azadian haunted me so much, when I'd had nothing to do with her death.

I only found her. I thought to myself, pushing away the remnants of guilt that nipped at my mind. I didn't have anything to do with her death. We dueled, but that was all. Her death isn't my fault.

Right?