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Professor Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes pinned me in my chair. "Please wait here, Amber."

I did as I was told. Hands shaking, I took another sip of tea, which was still hot. I listened as Dumbledore went to the office door, talking in low, quiet voices that I couldn't quite catch.

There was a short silence. Then there was the sound of retreating footsteps, and the door was closed once again.

Dumbledore returned to his chair. This time when he looked at me, there was a deep sadness in his eyes. I swallowed hard, unable to shake the vision.

"Sir?" I asked hesitantly. "Should I leave?"

Dumbledore exhaled slowly. "No, you should not leave just yet, Amber. Please, tell me what you have seen."

Unsure of what to do, I told him what I had seen. Dumbledore readjusted his half-moon spectacles and listened, his face troubled.

"You said this man was named 'Professor Slytherin'." He said at last, when I had finished. "Did he look like the portrait of the Founder you saw?"

I tried to recall the details of the handsome face, but it was hard. Every time I tried, my brain ached, as if I'd suffered a concussion. "He looks familiar, but not the same."

"You said it was 1085?" Dumbledore asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Professor. How can that be? That's nearly a thousand years ago."

Dumbledore indicated to the grandfather clock sitting nearby. "Time has special meaning in our world. It is one of the most complex, mysterious kinds of magic we know of. Of course, I do believe that there is a force of magic even stronger than time. Love, Amber." He said, smiling gently at my perplexed expression.

"Oh." I said, dropping my gaze into my lap. I clenched my hands into fists, dread swimming in my stomach. "Professor, what I saw… does that… is that what you were trying to tell me? That I have some sort of special ability to see things like that?"

"I believe so." Dumbledore said. "You have the gift of some kind of extrasensory perception, connected, perhaps, into your necklace."

I swallowed hard. I felt like I had just run a marathon and could feel every inch of my body trembling with a mixture of exhaustion and confusion. I felt like there was something wrong with me, some kind of inherited disease that made me an outcast from my peers. I asked, "But what does it mean? How do I understand? What can we do about this?"

"We can only try to understand." Dumbledore explained, spreading his hands. "You have a very rare gift, Amber, and I am not entirely certain of what it means for you, or for others. I would not go around telling others about this gift, not in the current magical climate. Lord Voldemort is searching for useful tools, and I do not want his ears hearing of what you are capable of. I should think that your friends are worthy of your trust. Specifically, I am speaking of Remus Lupin and Lily Evans, but perhaps Sirius Black and James Potter are worthy of that trust as well. If your parents are not aware of this, I should like for you to inform them as well." He paused, his electric-blue eyes suddenly very piercing. "Amber, it is crucial that you understand how dangerous it would be for the wrong person to discover your ability. I would be very, very careful with what you choose to make public. We are in the days of uncertainty and danger, and I would not want the wrong ears to hear of your abilities. Do you understand?"

The dryness in my throat intensified. "Yes, sir." I reached for a cup of tea, but it was empty. I reached for the pot, but there was no tea left inside. I looked at the Headmaster imploringly.

"Willow will bring us refreshment shortly." He told me. "Is there anything else you wish to tell me before she returns? Or ask?"

I bit my lip. "Do you know who Professor Slytherin is? Surely he can't be one of the Founders."

Dumbledore nodded once, thinking. "No, I believe that you may have seen Professor Salvatore Slytherin. He was the grandson of Salazar Slytherin, and one of the first Defense Against the Dark Arts professors at Hogwarts. The early descendants of the Founders are documented quite well, and a handful of witches and wizards can trace their lineage directly back to them today. As you know, Willow and her daughter are descended from Helga Hufflepuff."

"And who was Sapphira?" I asked, desperate for answers. "Why did he call me that? Why did I appear as 'Sapphira' in the past? Who was she? I felt like me. I didn't feel like I was somebody else. I don't understand."

"You said she was clearly a student of his." Dumbledore reminded me. "So I would assume that she attended Hogwarts in its first century. You may find useful information concerning former students and faculty in the library, but I am not sure if our records would reach back that far in time. Perhaps you were dwelling inside of her consciousness at the time of the vision, or temporarily in control of her. Your gift is very rare, and I wish I could give you more answers to what you seek. If you would like, I will assist you in any way I can, but I would assume that the library would be the most helpful avenue at the moment."

I shifted in my seat, anxious to get to the library and unearth the answers I desperately sought. Maybe if there was an explanation in a book somewhere, it would mean that I wasn't crazy, or a monster, or a freak. But Dumbledore seemed to read my hasty thoughts, and said, "if you would, please, remain with me for a few minutes more. Professor Smith will be here shortly, and she would like to speak with you with me."

"Why?" I asked nervously. "Have I done something wrong?"

Dumbledore's eyes darkened. "I-"

He was cut off again by another round of knocking. Excusing himself, he rose again and opened the door. This time, following him, was my former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She was not smiling, nor did she meet my gaze this time. There was a distinctly foreboding sense about her, as if she was escorting someone to their gallows. She carried a pitcher of sweating ice water in one hand. She poured three goblets full of the crystal-clear water on Dumbledore's desk, one for each of us, and sat down grimly.

"Professor," I said uneasily, reaching for my goblet, "does she know-"

Professor Dumbledore raised a wizened hand for silence. "Drink first, Amber. You are very thirsty."

Realizing how true that statement was, I lifted the goblet to my lips and drank deeply. I felt Professor Smith and Professor Dumbledore watching me, and I didn't stop drinking until the goblet was empty. I felt replete, refreshed, but it didn't quench the growing sense of dread I felt stirring in my bones.

"Amber, I need to ask you a few questions, concerning the Hufflepuff Games." Professor Smith said. I gazed at her, frowning. "But I thought we were talking about something else." I slid a glance at the Headmaster. "She does know about my... visions, doesn't she?" I couldn't think of a different word for my problem.

"I do." Professor Smith replied. "But right now, it's very important that you answer what I ask you, even though it's a different topic. Alright?"

Feeling stronger surges of warning, I nodded once. "Alright."

Professor Smith pursed her lips. "At the Hufflepuff Games, did you engage in a duel with Angelina Azadian?"

I blanched, the memory hurtling back to me as if it had happened yesterday. She had challenged me. I had declined. She had attacked my turned back, so I fought with her. I told them this and said, "Yes. And then she hurt me. She used some kind of curse… she said she heard it from Severus Snape." I made a face, the recollection abruptly ending. "After I passed out from her curse, everything was fuzzy… up until I woke up the Forbidden Forest next to her. Her… body. She was already dead when I woke up."

"How did you get into the Forest?" Professor Smith asked.

I winced as a sharp pain echoed in my brain. Tried as I might to think of it, there was a void, a gap, in the fabric of my memory. "...I don't know."

Willow and Professor Dumbledore exchanged a meaningful look. "Did you see someone in the Forest, other than Angelina's body?"
Again, that awful feeling of my mind trying to connect itself to a memory, but finding nothing but a missing piece to a puzzle. It was like trying to recall a vivid dream, but much worse. The rising feelings of dread and nervousness were overpowering waves of nausea and pain, throbbing between my eyes, spreading to my entire head. Now, I felt sick. Sicker than I'd ever felt in my life. Letting out a gasp, I bent over and retched, nearly vomiting on Dumbledore's carpet.

"Professor!" Willow said sharply, catching me as I sank towards the floor.

"I know." Dumbledore said gravely. "I was afraid that this was the case."

I felt Willow's hands on me as the intense sick feeling persisted. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead as chills wracked my body. I retched again, but the vomit wouldn't come. I sobbed, scared, wondering what was going on. My body was scaring me more than my mind.

"I should have known." Willow said bitterly. "It's a defense response to a Memory Charm. It's a curse to prevent anyone from unlocking her true memory. Her memory's been modified, and the Veritaserum's triggering a reaction to keep her from talking. It'll kill her before it lets her speak the truth."

"Dark Magic." Dumbledore responded tightly, sounding disgusted. "I believe I can penetrate it and break the hold on her. Hold her still, Willow. This will be ugly."

I had shut my eyes tightly, trying to fight my body's violent reaction against whatever was holding me. I let out another moan, sagging against Willow as a more powerful tremor shook me so hard that my teeth chattered together. It felt like my own body was prepared to kill itself before it let my mind retake control.

"Hang on, Amber," Willow whispered comfortingly to me. "Professor Dumbledore is going to fix this."

A strangled sob came from my half-open mouth. I felt like my blood had turned to lead, like my brain would boil itself alive in a fever before I could speak again.

And then Fawkes began to sing. In the terrifying haze of pain and confusion, I focused on the complex, soothing melody, a haunting tune from another era, another time. It was strangely familiar, and the shaking eased, the buzzing in my ears subsiding.

A coolness touched my forehead, and then a tentative sensation of movement unfurled in my head. The sharp pain returned, and I cried out. Fawkes continued to sing. The tentative sensation became a firm punch, and I screamed.

"Hang on." Willow said loudly. "Hang on! You're almost there, Amber. Almost!"

There was one more tremendous force against the wall in my mind. And then, it was broken. Like a dam bursting, the pressure was released. The curse had been broken. Weak with relief, I went completely limp against Willow, letting out a long sigh.

"Is she alright?" Willow asked urgently. "I can feel her pulse, but that was the most powerful Memory Charm I've ever seen, Professor. I'm worried it damaged her irreparably."

Dumbledore was silent. I felt a gentle nudging in my head, but this time it caused me no pain.

"No." Dumbledore said at last. "She isn't permanently damaged. She will, however, likely suffer some headaches for a few weeks until her mind heals. That was a very strong curse, and I had to use greater force to break it. She will be able to talk now."

"Let her rest first." Willow pleaded. "Look at her."

"It has to be now, Willow. Before the Veritaserum wears off. Come now, let's bring her to the chaise. There… yes. There we are."

I opened my eyes a slit. I was laying on a bed-like chair of maroon, my feet propped slightly above my head. Professor Willow was staring at me, her green eyes filled with worry.

"Amber? Amber, dear, I'm sorry, but we need to ask you a few more questions. I promise you can rest once it's over."

Groaning, I leaned back, my eyes drifting shut again. The nausea had ebbed, but I felt like I had fallen from the Astronomy Tower and landed headfirst into the ground below.

I felt a warm pressure on my belly. I opened my eyes again and saw Fawkes settled over my abdomen. He pushed his head underneath my limp hand, still humming. His presence comforted me, and I managed, "Alright… I'll try."

Professor Dumbledore spoke this time. "Amber, how did you get into the Forest?"

Where there had been a bottomless hole in my memory before was now a foggy recollection. I strained to recall the details, to pick them apart out of the shadows and smoke of my mind.

"Take your time." Willow said. "Don't rush. Just try to remember."

Angelina had used a curse on me... I had been bleeding from everywhere... Sean had carried me into the infirmary tent...

And he'd had a row with Remus. About me.

"If you ever let her get hurt like this again, I'll make you sorry!" Sean had shouted.

"It's not Remus' fault." I had told Lily after they had both left, thinking of Angelina's irrational rage. It hadn't been Remus' fault for what happened. Angelina had acted of her own accord.

They had all left me after that. I had lain there in the cot, alone, since Madam Pomfrey had left me to use the lavatory, until a strange sense of peace had overcome me. I had gone into the Forest, guided by that odd little orb of yellow-green light. I had walked for a mile, until the orb had led me to Angelina.

The orb had gone into her chest. The orb had told me I had to do it. I had to. There was no way to disobey. It was like falling from an airplane: gravity was going to win. It wasn't a question of choice. It was physics and fact.

"Cast the spell… cast the spell… CAST THE SPELL!"

Just like the Orb's voice had been.

No… no. It was more than that. The orb's voice… the dark shadow that had materialized out of the Forest's gloom…

I let out a gasp of horror as the ugly face loomed into view. "Mulciber!" I half-screamed. "He… he… oh no! Merlin's beard! NO!"

"CAST THE SPELL!" Mulciber had ordered.

And then I had spoken those fatal words: "Avada Kedavra."

Willow restrained me as I writhed on the chaise. I saw it all now, so clearly. I saw what he had made me do, what I had done.

"Amber," Professor Dumbledore asked, raising his voice, "did William Mulciber kill Angelina?"

I sobbed. Not even Fawkes could calm me now. "No! No, it wasn't him… it wasn't him!"

I could see the crimson on my hands again. The stains would never come out, no matter how hard I scrubbed. I sobbed harder, my heart twisting inside of me. No no no!

All of the nightmares of Angelina, all of the strange twinges of guilt… it all made sense now. Horrible sense. I wished my brain had boiled itself alive before I had learned the awful, inescapable truth, crushing me like a python.

"Did he curse you?" Dumbledore asked.

I wanted to tear out my hair. I wanted to tell Angelina I was sorry, that all of our fights had been so stupid and pointless compared to what I had done. "Yes." I sobbed. "He used the Imperius Curse on me."

There was a tense beat of silence. "Amber," Dumbledore said slowly. "Did you kill Angelina Azadian?"

I saw her face in my mind, the look of mingled fury and fear on her face as I lifted my phoenix feather wand. I saw the last look on her face, a second before I had uttered those lethal, evil, final words. Avada Kedavra.

I had killed her.

"Yes." I whispered.

"Let her sleep. Don't wake her up. Dumbledore said she was really upset. Had an anxiety attack or something."

"A what?"

"An anxiety attack. Haven't you ever heard of those?"

"No, sorry. Just lunar attacks."

"Very funny, Remus."

"I wasn't joking."

My eyelids fluttered open. I had been dreaming of dark forests, of the woman called Sapphira and of the sound of Fawkes' melody. Strangely, I felt numb, drugged. My body felt ten times heavier than it normally did, and I struggled to even move my arm.

I was lying in a hospital cot. The cathedral-like ceiling told me that I was no longer in Dumbledore's office. There was a white screen closing me off from the rest of what I assumed was the hospital wing.

"Well, that can't be good." I muttered, wondering why I was quarantined.

There was a short gasp. Lily's face was immediately hovering before mine, her green eyes huge.

"Amber!" She said, massively relieved. "You're awake!"

"You had us worried." Remus said, sitting in a chair on the other side of me. His face was grave. "Dumbledore said you passed out in his office."

I tried to remember meeting with him, but I couldn't recall anything other than my dream. "I had a meeting with Dumbledore?"

Lily and Remus exchanged a look. "Yeah." Lily said slowly, looking nervous. "Don't you remember?"

I stared at her. "Not really."

"You look awful." Lily said. She blushed. "You know, worse than normal. I mean, sick. I mean… oh, you know what I mean. Remus, tell her."

Remus looked startled. "What?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, never mind. Amber, do you know what day it is?"

I shook my head. My skull felt like it was made of lead. "Why is it light outside?"

"That what happens when the sun comes up." Lily said, smirking. "You know, it's this thing called 'day'."

I rolled my eyes. "I appreciate the sarcasm." I struggled to sit up. "I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

"I am here." The Headmaster was striding across the floor, his long silver beard glinting in the daylight. Lily and Remus looked intimidated.

"Miss Evans, Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore said kindly. "Would you two please bring Miss Harkstone some breakfast from the Great Hall? Bring food from the kitchens, if you must. Under my request."

"Yes, Headmaster." Remus said. "Lily?"

Lily nodded and followed him out of the hospital wing. It was just me and Dumbledore now. I watched him sit down on the chair Remus had just vacated.

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly.

I blinked. "Sick. Have I been ill?"

"In a way." Dumbledore said. "I am not sure how much you recall presently, but last night you and I had a rather eventful meeting in my office. You experienced a vision, and shortly afterward, you were given Veritaserum by Professor Smith. I broke a cursed memory charm that Mulciber had cast upon you and also broke his Imperius Curse that still lingered upon you. You then were given a draught of mandragora and taken to the hospital wing, where you could sleep without interruption. You were very upset after your memory was restored."

I stared at him, the memory returning. I could feel the blood draining from my face as it did. Tears burned in my eyes as I gazed at him helplessly. "I killed Angelina."

Dumbledore took my hand. It was surprisingly strong for a wizard at his age. "You did not kill her. You were under the Imperius Curse. Truly, the one at fault is William Mulciber, who is at large but now under much more expidition for capture. You have done nothing wrong, Amber. Angelina's death was not your fault."

Tears slipped down my cheeks. "It was my wand. It was my mouth that said the curse. I killed her."

"You are responsible for her death no more than you are responsible for Virginia's." He said seriously. I flinched, hurt that he would bring up my dead sister at a time like this.

"Amber, Amber." Dumbledore said sadly. "You will learn, as I have learned, that Death does not operate in ways that we expect, nor does it cast blame in the way the living do. Mulciber used you to carry out his will the same way you use your wand to do magic. You were the instrument through which he performed. It is not your fault."

Tears spilled over my eyes. "But I was so angry with her, Professor. For stealing Remus. For betraying me. For hurting me. For so many things. I never… I never meant for her to die. I didn't want this. I just wanted her to say sorry."

Dumbledore's blue eyes were filled with deep sympathy. He squeezed my hand in a very paternal fashion, sighing quietly. "We never mean to let hatred or jealousy rule our lives. And it is never easy when we feel responsible for the death of someone. You must not let this marr the rest of your life. You are so young, and you have a future of endless possibilities stretching before you. Amber, this was not your fault."

He said that last part in a way that was so final, so authoritative, that I almost believed him. But the guilt lingered, a tiny seed of blackness in my heart, and I knew that even if I somehow did move on with my life, I would carry this awful knowledge with me for the rest of my life.

"How do I tell my friends?" I whispered. "How do I tell Remus?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "You'll know when the time is right. If they are your true friends, which I wholeheartedly believe them to be, they will support you, no matter what. You are loved by your family and your friends, Amber. Don't despair, little one."

I blew my nose into a napkin he offered me. I tried to staunch the flow of tears, blowing my breath out hard from my lips and staring at the buttresses of the ceiling. "Do I have to tell my parents?"

"I can send Willow with the news, if you would prefer." Dumbledore offered. "Or have her be present with you when you tell them."

I debated for a moment. "I think I'd like her with me." I admitted in a very small voice.

Dumbledore nodded. "No matter what happens, you will always have a home at Hogwarts. Try and let your grief and guilt go. Take your life day by day, until you are healed enough to forget why you were even hurting in the first place. I promise that you will be alright, dear one."

At that moment, Remus and Lily returned with armfuls of food spilling out onto the floor. Both looked slightly panicked and abashed.

"We weren't sure how hungry you were." Lily admitted as Dumbledore lifted a brow. "So we brought a little bit of everything so you could choose."

"It's all vegetarian." Remus assured me. "No meat."

I smiled weakly at him. Thoughtful, sweet, dear Remus. My heart constricted painfully when I thought of what I would have to tell him. That Angelina's death had come through Mulciber, through me.

"You will be well-cared for." Dumbledore rumbled as he rose to his feet and plucked the small box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans from the floor. "Do you mind if I keep this? I am quite partial to the raspberry jam flavour."

"Go ahead." I said, trying to smile but instead managing a half-grimace, half-frown. Dumbledore left, his star-spangled robes trailing him as he disappeared around the corner.

"What are you in the mood for?" Lily asked, coming forward with her arms laden. "I have muffins, scones, Danish, bananas, doughnuts, cookies, cupcakes, chocolate… I had a chocolate frog."

Remus looked sheepish, depositing his load onto the empty cot he had conjured with a quiet, "Accio!"

"Sorry." He said, grinning. "I couldn't resist."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Remus brought you an egg sandwich, granola bars, yogurt, bagels, and a… what is that, Remus?"

"It's a rice bar." He told her. "Made with marshmallows. It's very good. My mum loves them."

"I'll take that one." I said. My sweet tooth overpowered my better judgment and I nibbled at the bar, unable to look at either of them. My memory was back, but I was focusing every ounce of my willpower on not remembering it.

"Are you alright?" Lily asked quietly, leaning forward. "You always seem to be in the infirmary, you know. I'm going to have to start casting a shield charm on you every day."

"She sleepwalks too." Remus added. "Can't win with this girl."

Lily chuckled. "And you'd know that how, Remus?"

Remus blushed. "Because she told me."

Lily tossed her long curtain of dark red hair back. "Alright, if you say so."

"Lily." I admonished, grinning in spite of myself. Remus blushed deeper and helped himself to one of the bagels.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lily asked, serious again. "I mean, you don't have to, but if you want to talk, we're here for you."

"I won't tell the guys either, if you'd rather I didn't." Remus told me. "If this is between us, then that's perfectly fine."

I bit my lip, putting the rice bar down. My stomach was already tying itself up in knots of nervousness. "Please don't think of me differently when I tell you. I'm still just Amber. Just… Amber. Not a freak or anything. I'm still the same me."

"Alright." Lily said, sounding very grave. "Of course. You're still 'just' Amber."

"I'm serious, Lily." I told her. "Well… here goes…"

I told them what I had seen in my vision. I explained, to their shock, that I could sometimes see past events, usually in dreams, but now, during my lucid moments as well. I told them how Dumbledore and Willow believed the necklace had something to do with it.

"I told you!" Lily cried. "Didn't I tell you something was weird with that necklace? Amber, I think it has everything to do with the visions!"

I bristled at her hostility. "Are you saying this is my fault? That I should have known better?"

Lily's eyes narrowed. "I'm saying that you should be more careful. That's all. There's Dark stuff in this world, and maybe the necklace isn't a part of it, but it can be used by it. You know, like being taken advantage of. When weird stuff starts happening to you, please don't try to hide it from us. We care about you. Dumbledore cares about you. Willow does. Please, please, please promise me you won't keep stuff like this to yourself anymore."

I stared at her, then at Remus, who looked conflicted. "I don't want to burden either of you." I said quietly. "My problems are my own."

Remus steepled his hands together. "I used to think that too." He said quietly. "With my condition. I thought I had to be alone, to suffer by myself. But when I confided in those who I knew I could trust and who really did care, that was when I discovered what freedom meant." His pale green eyes were filled with conviction. "You don't have anything to be ashamed of. Just don't try to be a one-woman army all the time."

"Or a martyr." Lily threw in. I glared at her. "Was that really necessary? I'm not a martyr." I told her flatly.

"Maybe not completely." Lily amended. "But sometimes you act like it."

"And sometimes you act like a know-it-all." I told her, my voice icy. "But 'not completely'."

Lily flared up at once. Before we could squabble any further, Remus spread his hands imploringly. "Ladies, please. Let's not get too carried away here."

"One more thing," Lily said, still looking annoyed, "Professor Slughorn is having a party tomorrow night at eight o'clock in his office. You're invited. So is Remus. If you're feeling up to it, you should come."

"That'll be fun." I muttered, folding my arms crossly. "Who else is going?"

"A few others. Some people from the Quidditch Team. I heard that Sean might be coming."

My stomach lurched. A quick glance in Remus' direction told me that he wasn't happy to hear that Sean could make an appearance. His green eyes darkened, his hands clenching into fists in his lap.

"Too bad your dad won't come." Lily said. "He was some Quidditch hero a long time ago, I guess. That's what your cousin said."

I grinned at her. "Is Harry coming?"

Lily shook her head. "No, he said he's busy with work. But he's going to take me out to Hogsmeade during the next trip."

I smiled at her. I wondered what it would be like if the two ended up married. Then Lily really would be family.

Then my thoughts turned to Remus. I tried to picture him with another girl, dancing in the light of candles on a patio somewhere during the summertime, and an intense jolt of pain shot through me. I cringed, half-gasping, my head pounding at the movement.

Lily and Remus both leaned forward. "Are you alright? Should I get Madam Pomfrey?" Lily asked.

I shook my head, looking at Remus. His eyes were so dark, so full of unspoken feelings. I knew I had to tell him the truth about Angelina. But I didn't want to do it. Not yet. I wanted more time with him. What if he cut me out of his life when I told him? I couldn't bear the thought of living without him.

Yet, I knew that at some point, he would have to learn the truth behind her death. Even if it hadn't been my fault, it was still my wand and my words that had ended her life.

"You should rest." Remus said, reaching over and squeezing my hand. He began to pull it away, but I held it fast. The words bubbled up inside of my throat, and I had to clamp my lips shut to keep them from escaping.

"I don't want to stay here." I told them. I started to rise, but my head pounded again, and I sagged against the pillows, suddenly drained.

"You need to rest." Lily insisted. Remus nodded seriously.

"I don't want to stay here like an invalid." I snapped, wanting to get away from the hospital wing, away from what I had nearly told them. "I have classwork to do. And homework."

"We brought it for you." Remus said, gesturing to a stack of books and parchment. I grimaced at the amount of work I had to catch up on.

"Great." I muttered. "Just great. Wonderful. Well, at least I'll be occupied."

"You won't be here for much longer." Lily promised.

Just then, Madam Pomfrey swept to the cot. She looked disapprovingly at the half-eaten rice bar in my lap. "I see you've been eating."

I met her gaze squarely without remorse. "I want to leave."

"Well, you can't." She said crisply. "Not until you're better. I'd say you have at least another half-day of rest before you'll be good to go."

I wanted to scream. I didn't want to stay in my bed. I wanted to go outside and fly on my broomstick or wander the lake trail. I wanted anything but to be cooped up inside like I was in quarantine.

"I think it's best if you two leave now." Madam Pomfrey said.

"I agree." Lily said, rising to her feet. "It's for your own good, Amber. The more you rest, the faster you'll be better."

"Traitor." I told her blackly. Remus withdrew his hand and smiled sadly at me. "We'll see you at dinner."

"Fine, leave, just go." I said dramatically, as Madam Pomfrey handed me a strong-smelling goblet of dark green liquid. "I'll just be in here, rotting and wasting away in my cot."

"Oh, hush." Madam Pomfrey said as I downed the goblet of liquid, which burned like firewhiskey and tasted like grass clippings. "You'll be out within a minute. Maybe when you wake up, you can join your friends at dinner."

I tried to listen to the rest of her words, but I had fallen into black, dreamless sleep at the word 'dinner'.

Madam Pomfrey had released me after I had woken up just before dinner. The next day, the fall air turned bitingly cold as a cold front pushed through over the mountains. It covered the blue sky with thick, dark gray cloud cover, and I could smell snow as I walked around the length of the lake with the Marauders in tow.

I was half-listening to James and Sirius recount how they had jinxed one of their classmates when Peter fell into the lake. He had been trying to follow James and Sirius too closely while Remus and I walked together in the rear and had slipped off the trail and toppled three below into the lake. James and Sirius roared with laughter as Peter floundered, gasping for air.

"Help me!" Peter gasped. "I'm drowning!"

"Stand up, you idiot!" James laughed. "You're in less than three feet of water!"

Peter gulped and put his feet down. Miraculously, the water was indeed only up to his waist. His boyish face turned pink.

"C'mon, Pete," Sirius cajoled as he offered his hand to the plump boy, pulling him back up onto the trail, "don't be so daft. What's on your mind?"

Peter wrung out his sopping sleeve. He looked highly embarassed. "N-nothing…"

Sirius sighed. "Come on. Out with it."

Peter looked miserable, with his hair plastered to his face and his wet clothes hanging off of him and dripping onto the ground. I took out my wand and pointed it at him. "Siccumdium."

A jet of hot air blasted Peter from my wand. Within a minute he was dry. He looked even more woe-begone, his face crumpled. He looked ready to cry.

"Come on, Peter, out with it." James said encouragingly, as Remus tugged at a dead branch overhead. "What's going on?"

Peter bit his lip. "I don't… I just…"

"What, are you afraid that you're too cool to hang with us anymore?" Sirius teased.

Peter fidgeted nervously. He hardly ever had all of the attention fixed on him, and he looked lost. Finally, he said, "I don't think I can hang out with you lot anymore."

There was a stunned beat of silence. Then Sirius and James began talking at once.

"You can't be serious mate!"

"Why?"

"We need you!"

"You're our mascot!"

"Peter, come on!"

Peter looked helplessly at them. Remus frowned, stepping forward. "Would you like to tell us what exactly spurred this decision, Peter?"

Peter gulped. His blue eyes glanced at me before looking away. He ducked his head. "I'm too weak to be with you guys. You're all so strong and cool and powerful. I'm just… not. I'm hopeless. Even Professor Kettleburn says that the best thing I'll ever be good at is being monster bait."

"That is not true!" James said fiercely. "Come off it, Pete. You're just as cool as the rest of us."

"Well, not as cool as me," Sirius said loftily. James punched his arm. "Peter, mate. Don't listen to them. You're cool. Who told you this?"

Peter looked at me again. "Everyone."

Somehow, I knew who he was talking about. "You mean a particular group of Slytherins, don't you?"

Peter nodded once.

"I'll kill them." Sirius vowed, drawing his wand. "What class do they have right now?"

"None!" I snapped. "Considering it's after classes. Put that away, Sirius, before you poke someone's eye out again."

Grudgingly, Sirius obeyed.

"I'm not smart." Peter went on tearfully. "Or brave. I'm not even a Gryffindor. I should have been in Hufflepuff or Slytherin."

"You are a Gryffindor." James said heartily, putting his arm around the smaller boy. "We all have bad days. Even I feel stupid sometimes."

"Really? You do?" Peter asked in amazement.

James grimaced. "Well, no, actually. I always feel incredible. But you should have that same level of confidence, mate. Aren't you like, a few months away from becoming an Animagus?"

Peter flushed. "I mean, maybe another year away… But Sirius already did it a whole year ago!"

"So?" James challenged. "I still haven't managed it. And you're miles ahead of Lionheart."

I glowered at James. "Thanks for that."

"No problem." James said briskly, not even looking in my direction. He adjusted his glasses. "You're special, mate. You're like the cheese that holds together the macaroni of our group. We wouldn't be right without you."

Peter sniffled, tears in his eyes. "Really? You're not just saying that?"

"Of course not." Sirius said, ruffling his hair fondly. "Who else would laugh at our jokes? Or cheer us on to no end? It definitely wouldn't be those two lovebirds." Sirius rolled his eyes at us. "All they ever do is make out."

My face went hot. "We do not!" I said indignantly, unable to look at Remus.

"Look, Peter," Remus said, his voice cool, "maybe you're a late bloomer. Not everyone starts out strong at the gate like James and Sirius."

"And you too." I said defensively. "You're a brilliant wizard, Remus. Don't discount yourself."

"Aww, go get a room." Sirius moaned. "You two are disgusting."

I waved my wand. "Silencio!"

Sirius made a rude hand gesture. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at the gaggle of boys and pushed my unruly hair out of my face. It was so long now, always in the way. Sometimes I longed to cut it off, like right now.

"And I'll never be a Charms master like you." Peter said bitterly.

"Maybe we can change that." I said on an impulse. "Peter, why don't I become your tutor?"

Peter's eyes bugged. James looked amused. Sirius was furiously trying to remember the countercurse for the Silencing Charm. Remus looked oddly jealous.

"Are you serious?" Peter said in a very small voice. "You? Become my tutor?"

"Yes." I said imperiously, swatting at a tress of hair that swung obnoxiously into my face. "Just until you're more confident in your own spellwork. Plus, it'll look good on my resume. Sound like a deal?"

Peter gulped back tears. Then he ran into me, a head shorter, and hugged me.

Awkwardly, I patted his back. When he didn't let go, Remus pried him off, looking irritated. Peter was flushed and looked excited.

"Do I have to call you 'Professor'?" He asked, his eyes gleaming.

I grinned, while James moaned. "I'd like that, yes."

"Okay." Peter said, trying it on. "Professor Harkstone, when is our first lesson?"

I pointed to Sirius. "How about right now? Go ahead and undo my Silencing Charm."

Peter turned white. "I don't know the incantation."

"Think." I told him, leaning closer. "Almost any Charm has the same counter curse. It's easy. It starts with an 'F'."

James opened his mouth to speak, but Remus held up a hand for silence. Peter made a face as if he'd swallowed a lemon. Then, his eyes popped open.

"I know what it is!" He said excitedly. Whipping out his wand, he pointed it at Sirius and shouted, "Finite!"

Sirius, who had been cursing at me silently, was suddenly speaking again. His colorful language made my face heat up again while James laughed raucously. But when he called me a particularly nasty five-letter word, Remus drew his wand like a sword and said, "Stupefy!"

The curse slammed into Sirius like a train. The dark-haired boy was thrown back and landed hard on his side ten feet away, nearly falling into the lake himself. He leapt to his feet, his scraped arms raw. "What the hell, Moony?" He swore again, more viley than last time.

"Don't you ever call her that in front of me!" Remus shouted, his eyes very bright now, almost electric. I glanced up at the sky, still covered by thick clouds. How far away was the full moon? It couldn't be too far away, considering his animalistic rage.

"Fine!" Sirius shouted furiously. "I'm sorry. Alright? I'm sorry, Lionheart. Amber, whatever you are."

Remus still had his wand out. He was shaking. Biting his lip, he put his wand away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper like that."

"It's fine, mate," Sirius said gruffly, brushing himself off. "It'll take more than that to knock me out."

James had watched the entire fiasco without lifting a finger. But he let out a soft laugh as a few white flakes drifted down from the sky. Amazed, I watched as snow began to fall, soft and delicate. A flake landed on my nose. I wiped it off and watched in amazement as the squall blew in from the mountains, covering the lake and the surrounding mountains in frosted white.

"That's beautiful." I said quietly. "And cold."

"Come on." Remus said. "Some of us have to get ready for a party, remember?"

"Lucky you." James said sourly. "I still think I should have been invited."

"Yeah, well, maybe they got sick and tired of your ugly face." Sirius joked. James threw a playful punch while Peter tagged along.

"I wish I could go with you, Professor Harkstone," Peter said sadly.

"Don't start that." Sirius moaned. "Please."

"Should we dress up?" I asked Remus as we turned and walked back towards the castle, nearly a mile away.

"I wouldn't do anything crazy." He advised. "Keep it casual. I think he would have told us if he wanted us to wear something formal."

"You'll look beautiful no matter what, Professor Harkstone." Peter gushed.

"Merlin's beard," James made a disgusted noise in his throat, "shut up."