Well, I'm going to try my best to keep my deadline of finishing book 4 by Christmas. Thanks to everyone who faved, followed, and REVIEWED :) I love reading your thoughts and guesses. You are all amazing! Happy December!

Professor Flitwick had performed every Charm he could, but nothing revealed the identity of the thief. After he had helped me clear up the mess and return my possessions to where they needed to be, we filled out a form detailing the loss.

"I'll keep an eye and ear out for your book." Our Head of House squeaked as I handed him the parchment. "I doubt it'll be gone for long, Miss Harkstone. These things have a way of reappearing."

"Thanks." I said glumly. The book hadn't made much sense to me, and I had planned on taking it to a teacher who could possibly read it. Someone like Dumbledore.

I tried to think of who could have gotten past the knocker that guarded the Ravenclaw Tower. We didn't have a password like Gryffindor, but rather, had to solve a riddle that changed frequently. Could a different House have solved the riddle? Surely there must be other students smart enough to solve it.

But my gut told me it was a fellow Ravenclaw who had committed the theft. I no longer felt safe in my own House and stared at each passing Housemate, wondering if they had been the one to steal my great-grandmother's book.

Losing the book made me want my necklace back even more. But I knew I had to be patient and trust Dumbledore. To make matters worse, there was still no owl post by the time I finally finished my homework in the Ravenclaw Common Room and retired to my bed, which had been organized and cleaned up. Glancing suspiciously around the room of sleeping fourth-year girls, I brushed my teeth in the adjoining bathroom and showered under the pounding stream of hot water. I pulled on my pajamas and crept back into the room, which slept the three other fourth-year Ravenclaw girls. The fourth bed, where Angelina had slept, was still vacant. I stared at it, feeling the familiar rise of guilt, like vomit. I went over quietly and touched the sapphire-blue duvet, still perfectly stretched out over the bed from when the house-elves had last changed the linens. Her former bed alone of the four others had no chest, no possessions, no occupant. It was alone, and would remain empty for the rest of the year.

Tears blurred my vision as I trudged back to my own bed. I knew in my heart that her death wasn't truly my fault, but it didn't absolve the fact that it had been my wand, my hand, that had ended her life.

I sat on my bed, drawing my knees up to my chest as I listened to the other sleeping girls in the room. Zoey MacDonald, Lucy Dunstan, and Delia Wellbeloved all slept peacefully mere feet from me, but I felt more out of place and alone than ever. Maybe the Sorting Hat did make a mistake when it put me in Ravenclaw. I wondered dully as I reached over to my nightstand and twirled my wand between my fingers. "Lumos." I whispered, the wand tip igniting. I felt restless and wide-awake, not tired at all. What if the thief came back? What if it was one of the girls who shared the space with me?

Stop scaring yourself. I told myself firmly. Close your eyes and get to sleep.

But I couldn't. No matter how many times I rolled over or fluffed my pillows, sleep wouldn't come. I had come to bed past midnight and looked at the small analog clock on my nightstand. It was almost two in the morning.

Exasperated, I got out of bed. I slipped my farm boots onto my feet and pulled a dark blue hooded sweater over my head. I illuminated my path with my wand as I held it out in front of me, snaking down the stairs into the Common Room. I wished now, more than ever, that I was in Gryffindor, not Ravenclaw. How easy would it be for me to simply walk up into the boys' dormitory and wake the other Marauders? Instead, I was stuck here without them, the oddball of the group. Oh, why did I have to be in Ravenclaw? Why couldn't I have been in Gryffindor instead?

I pulled more books toward me and began reading about the laws of being an Animagus. I was close to completing the process. Another nine months at the most, and I would be a fully-fledged Animagi. Sirius had already accomplished the feat. James was very close to it. Peter and I remained lagging behind.

"Once the witch or wizard completes the process, they must register themselves with the Improper Use of Magic Office so that they cannot abuse their power. Similar to the Patronus charm, each Animagi will become their respective animal upon the finalizing of the process. This takes years, sometimes decades, to achieve."

Irritated, I closed the book and got to my feet. Reading usually lulled me to sleep, but tonight I felt wired. I wanted to move around and get my blood flowing before I cooled back down. I retrieved my Silver Arrow from my bedroom and left the Ravenclaw Common Room. I knew it wasn't safe to be alone outside after dark, especially considering recent events, but I felt confident enough in my abilities to protect myself. Besides, hadn't Professor Smith trained me herself? Wasn't Dumbledore giving me private lessons?

Well, not really. All we do is talk. He hasn't actually taught me anything like Professor Smith did.

I chose to ignore this fact and made my way down to the Quidditch Pitch, taking one of the many secret passages I'd discovered with the boys out to the empty fields. The weather was clear and cold, the stars twinkling in the navy-blue sky. The moon was nearly full, just a day or two away from the peak of its cycle. It shone brightly and gave a full silvery-illumination to the Quidditch Pitch. I floated off of the ground and circled the pitch a few times, relishing the feeling of icy wind blowing through my hair and across my exposed face. I drew my wand and held onto the broom shaft one-handed as I said, "Accio Quaffle!" and a saggy Quaffle shot towards me from the ground. It had been beaten so savagely by a Bludger that it was no longer fit for use in a real match, but it was commonly used for practice and always left behind on the ground. I tossed the half-deflated Quaffle through one side of the hoops a few times, zooming around to catch it each time. I hadn't dropped it once when I heard, "Oi, you should really think about playing professionally after Hogwarts."

My heart plummeted as I wheeled around. Hovering on a jet-black Moontrimmer was Mara Smith. She was fifteen feet away, half-leaning towards her, her dark eyes glittering like the stars. Her expression was almost predatory, like a tiger watching a deer before it pounced.

I lifted my chin a notch, facing my teacher almost defiantly. "Maybe. I haven't decided what I'll do after I finish school. Have you?"

Mara's eyes flickered. She straightened, shaking back her long dark brown hair. "Let's just say I want to keep my options open."

My heart began to pound. I didn't want to think that she would harm me, but then again, hadn't Folsom been the same way?

"Is there something on your mind?" Mara asked as she slowly circled me, barely moving as her broomstick moved as if it was an extension of her. "You look like you're expecting me to hex you."

"I'm not." I said quickly.

Mara frowned. "You're a bad liar. You've got to have a better poker face than that."

I swallowed hard, wishing my palms weren't sweaty, wishing my heart wasn't pounding frantically inside of my ribcage. I did expect her to attack, to do something malicious, but I didn't know what I would do if she did. Could I take on Professor Smith's daughter? Folsom's possible child? Or even Voldemort's?

"Can I ask you a personal question?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Mara rolled her eyes. "Let me guess: you want to know who my father is?"

Mouth dry, I nodded. "Yes."

Mara shrugged. "I don't really know, to be honest with you. There's a few candidates, though."

"Who?" I pressed. Mara raised a brow.

"I know it's not really my business." I told her, half-apologetically. "I just thought, well, you know… I thought that maybe it could be someone I know. I'm sorry. I'm just curious, I guess."

Mara smiled wryly. "You're certainly a Ravenclaw. Have you ever heard the expression, 'curiosity killed the cat'?"

I knew the blood had drained from my face, because Mara shook her head. "I'm only joking, Amber. I'm not going to hurt you."

Aren't you? I wanted to say, but I managed to keep silent.

Mara studied me for a moment. "Toss me the Quaffle. Let's play pass."

I obeyed. She caught it deftly, throwing it back with apparent ease. "My mother had me when she was twenty-six years old. Her sister Rose married my uncle Ryan, and they had my cousin Sean when I was eight. My mother's brother Rowan was killed by a vampire when I was a child. My grandparents are all dead. I never knew any of them."

"And your father?" I prompted.

Mara gave a droll smile. "Like I said. I don't know who he is. There's three candidates, and Mum's never told me who the real one is. Then again, maybe she doesn't know."

I gaped at her. "Three?"

Mara chuckled. "Yeah, I know. I guess Mum was quite the dish when she was my age. Why don't you ask her?"

Because she's not the one calling herself the 'Serpent Princess'. I thought darkly.

"You know," Mara said casually, catching my toss deftly, "it's really not safe for you to be outside school after curfew."

"I couldn't sleep." I told her honestly. "What's your excuse?"

Her dark eyes - black in the night - pierced me. "Keeping an eye on students. It's my job."

"I see." I said coolly. I could feel my wand in my belt loop, ready for useage if I needed it. "I have a question for you."

"Shoot." Mara said.

I caught the Quaffle she threw at me and then said, "Can you show me your left arm?"

Mara stared at me. "I beg your pardon?"

I looked at her innocently. "Your left arm. Can I see it?"

Professor Smith's daughter pursed her lips, unspoken thoughts moving in shadows across her face as she hovered on her Moontrimmer. "You ask a lot of personal questions, Amber." She said at last.

I met her gaze squarely. "I'm a Ravenclaw. It's just my nature."

Mara gave a tight smile. "You should get to bed. Next time you sneak out, make sure you don't do it alone. It's not safe out here."

I flew back to the ground and dismounted from the Silver Arrow. Mara remained airborne. I could feel her gaze trained on me, like the owl just before it had swooped down upon the mouse. Unnerved, I reached for my wand, wanting to know I was armed.

"You don't trust me anymore, do you?" She asked casually from above.

I half-turned, grimacing. "Do you want me to be honest, or polite?"

Mara gave a small laugh. "Does it matter?"

I shrugged. "I know your mother was a Death Eater. I guess I don't know if that's something else she passed onto you."

Mara's expression was enigmatic. "Good night, Amber."

I began to walk across the pitch, the frosty grass crunching beneath my feet. Then she spoke again, in a slightly more friendly tone.

"Oh, and Amber? Tomorrow, we'll be doing a practical lesson. Make sure you're prepared."

I regarded her intently, lifting my chin a notch to show I wasn't afraid of her. I know your secret, Mara. I thought defiantly. I know you've been meeting with Folsom. I'm not sure who's side you're on, but you can be sure, I'm going to find out.

But all I said was, "Thank you, Professor. Good night."

"Good night, Amber. Nice canon arm, by the way."

I was running through a black forest again. Panting, I ran through tangles of brambles and Devil's club, the thorns tearing at my robes. Bright moonlight streamed down just ahead, and I plunged past the deep undergrowth into a small clearing. A ring of small gray stones encircled the glade. Before I could catch my breath, there was a terrible drawn-out scream. A girl. I whirled around, gripping my wand, but it wasn't in my belt loop. I was unarmed.

A figure stumbled into the clearing. It was Angelina. Her robes were torn, her long hair tangled with dead leaves and twigs. She was covered in blood. Her gray eyes pierced me, and I wanted to run away from the guilt that surged through me like an electric current.

"You'll pay." She whispered, as a wolf's howl pierced the night air. "You'll reap what you sow. You'll pay."

Tears slipped down my cheeks. "I didn't mean to kill you. It wasn't my fault. Mulciber made me do it."

Angelina shook her head slowly, and she gave a small, wicked smile. Her eyes gleamed scarlet. "You'll pay."

Then she changed into a tall, pale figure with blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. Before I could turn and run, Folsom leapt at me, arms outstretched, fangs bared.

"Amber! Amber! AMBER!"

I shot upright, gasping as if I had been underwater. My head was pounding, my heart racing. I grabbed at my face, my arms, my torso. I was in a bed. My bed. I wasn't in the Forest.

I was safe.

"Are you alright?" A familiar voice asked. Trembling, I stared at Lucy Dunstan, one of the other Ravenclaw fourth-years. She had made the Ravenclaw Team as Seeker.

"F-fine." I lied, tremors shaking my body. I pushed my hair back, drenched in sweat. "What's wrong? Why did you wake me up?"

Lucy was looking at me like I was crazy. Well, maybe I am. I thought dully, wondering how disheveled I looked.

"Well, it's almost noon." She said meekly. "Professor McGonagall wanted to know why you weren't in Transfiguration."

I moaned. No wonder the sunlight was so strong. "It's almost noon?"

Lucy nodded. "It's eleven-forty. Lunch is about to start."

Cursing, I jumped out of bed and promptly collapsed. My legs were too shaky to hold my body weight.

"Amber!" Lucy exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I told her, shaking my head, which felt light and airy, like a balloon. "Just a nightmare. I was up late last night studying." I hadn't come to bed until almost five in the morning, which was why I'd slept so late.

"Well, I can go get Madam Pomfrey." Lucy offered.

"No." I muttered. "No more hospital wing. Just… go. I'll be fine. Thanks for waking me up." I added sincerely. The nightmare had been horrendous enough. I was grateful to have been woken before I had seen the end.

"Are you sure?" Lucy asked uncertainly. "I can go get help."

"No, really. I'm fine. Just go. I'll see you in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Lucy cast me another uncertain look, but didn't argue. I knew I probably looked frightful enough to scare her away. She left the dormitory.

I staggered into the bathroom. I took one look in the mirror and sighed in despair. I looked much worse than usual. My eyes were puffy and had deep purple shadows beneath them. They were crusty, as if I had been crying in my sleep. My hair was so wild and tangled that I looked like I'd just emerged from the depths of a forgotten jungle somewhere deep in South America. My skin was grayish-white, like Folsom's. I looked dead.

Like Angelina.

I splashed cold water on my face, brushing my teeth to chase away the rotten taste that always came in the morning after a nightmare. I showered, desperately trying to tame my hair, but I didn't have Lily's skill or knowledge of hair care and settled on towel-drying and wrangling the damp locks into a loose braid. At least, I thought it was a braid. It looked like a small animal or bird had tried to build a nest from my hair and given up halfway through the project.

Resigned, I changed into my uniform and hurried down the spiral stairs to Mara's classroom. Lunch was nearly over, and I had no appetite at all. I reached for my necklace out of habit, but it wasn't there. I pinched my neck lightly instead, nervous. I had been under the impression that my necklace had everything to do with my visions and nightmares. But maybe it only applied to the former.

There were a handful of students already inside of the classroom. Mara was by far the most popular teacher at Hogwarts, mostly due to her fame as a Montrose Magpie, but also because of her age and enthusiastic personality. I felt myself bristling at the sight of her today, however, as I took a seat at the very back of the classroom. I usually sat in the front row so I wouldn't be distracted by others, but I no longer wanted to be near her. Not when I wasn't sure where her loyalties lay.

"Hey!" Lily said as she dropped into the seat next to me. "Merlin's beard! What happened to you?"

"I'd like to know that as well." Remus said, taking the other seat so that he sat on my other side. "You look awful."

"Thanks for that confidence-booster." I said dryly. "I had a nightmare."

"Another one?" Lily asked. "But your necklace… it's not here."

"I know." I said, pushing my face into my hands. "I don't know."

"Are you alright?" Remus asked quietly. "You look sick."

"I'm not. I'm just tired." I dropped my voice and filled them in on my sleepless night and my unexpected Quidditch game with Mara in the wee hours of the morning. Lily looked sternly disapproving; Remus looked interested.

"She wouldn't show you her arm?" He asked. "Maybe she's hiding something. Like the Dark Mark."

"Mulciber had one." I said, remembering the clearing when he had made me kill Angelina. I shut my eyes against the memory of the nightmare and her chilling words. "I think all of You-Know-Who's followers have them. His inner circle."

"You can't be serious." Lily said in complete disbelief. "Mara? A Death Eater? Her mother would never allow it."

"I'm still waiting on my owl." I told her darkly. "I need to tell her what's going on. Maybe she'll be able to explain or clear some questions up."

"And what did you do to your hair?" Lily asked in exasperation.

"I tried to make a braid." I told her bravely. "What'd you think?"

Lily shook her head. "Do I have to answer?"

I waved my hand at her irritably. "Just fix it. Please."

Lily worked quickly. Remus had a faraway look in his eyes, an expression he always wore when he was in deep thought. "I've just thought of something." He said after a minute of silence.

"What's that?" I asked as Lily tugged at my unruly hair.

"You haven't heard back from Professor Smith or your dad." Remus said. "Soren's never late, is he? And Percival is always quick with my post. This isn't right. How'd she know to tail you on the Quidditch pitch? Maybe she intercepted your mail. Maybe Professor Smith and your dad never got your post."

I went cold at the thought. "You think she hurt our owls?" I said in an icy voice.

"I don't think so." Remus said. "But maybe she used a spell on them to make them forget they were supposed to bring us mail. For all we know, they're back in the Owlery. We can check after class."

My hands trembled. "You think she intercepted our mail?"

"It makes sense." Remus said. "Amber, we need to be very careful. It's one thing if she's a spy for Dumbledore. It's a completely different thing if it's the other way around."

"I'm all done with your hair." Lily said quietly, looking grim. I touched the now-soft locks, the loose French braid she had twisted the tresses into. "Thanks, Lily." I said quietly.

"When's your next meeting with Dumbledore?" Remus asked.

"I don't know." I told him. "I haven't had any invitations lately."

"You need to tell him this, the next time you see him." Remus insisted. "This is really important, Amber."

"I hate this." Lily said suddenly, her green eyes filled with confusion and pain. "I hate not knowing who we can and can't trust. I feel like anyone could be on Lord Vol… You-Know-Who's side. Just look at what happened with you and Angelina, Amber."

"Lily." I said warningly, the nightmare still fresh. "Don't. Please."

Her eyes were filled with tears. "What if Sev…" She trailed off, hunching her shoulders, staring down at her desk. I didn't have the heart to tell her about his loyalties, not yet. I would wait until after class to break the news to her that he was still running around with the Slytherins, the known-supporters of the Dark Lord. I settled for putting an arm around her shoulder instead.

"Good afternoon, class." Mara called cheerfully from the front of the class. Today she was wearing robes of maroon with gold trimming; she looked like a princess or a young queen. She wore a simple pendant on a golden chain, the jewels winking in the sunlight streaming in from the open windows.

"Today, we'll be doing a practical lesson." She said, smiling mischievously as she waved her wand. The shutters slammed shut on the windows, throwing us into near total darkness. The candles flared to life. I pushed slightly closer to Remus, wondering what she had in mind.

"Everyone, up." Mara said sharply, clapping her hands. "Today, you'll be facing your worst nightmares. Books out, wands away. Hurry!"

Startled by the abrupt change in tone, the students jumped up and scrambled to their feet, looking extremely nervous. I hung closer to Remus, my heart pounding. What was she playing at?

"Amber?" Lily asked quietly. "What's going on?"

"Just wait." I said in a low voice. "Wand out."

"Now that everyone's awake," Mara said slyly, "please get in a single file line. James, Sirius, you're up first."

"I'll go." Sirius said bravely, puffing out his chest. "Get back, Prongs."

"I'll miss you, bud," James said, laughing. "It was nice knowing you."

Mara giggled and pointed her wand at a rectangular black bag sitting in the front of the room. It rattled slightly.

"Can anyone tell me what that is?" Mara prompted. "Anyone?"

"A really ugly bag?" Sirius asked, and James roared with laughter.

"Very funny. No, not what you think you see. What else? Any takers? How about you, Peter?"

Peter squeaked, "M-me?"

"Yes, you. Take a wild guess."

"Uh…" Peter stammered. "I think it's a… a…"

"It's a boggart." I said loudly. Several students turned to look at me. Mara's face flickered. "Yes, good, Amber. But next time, let someone else try the question, alright? We already know you know all the answers."

Her tone was still pleasant, but I detected the sourness behind the sweetness. Several students sniggered, including Sirius and James, but Lily and Remus looked indignant. I felt heat rise into my cheeks. Mara blinked innocently and turned back to the class.

"Yes, Amber's right. Inside of this suitcase is a boggart. I know my mother taught you about them last year, but I feel like it's a good refresher as we work our way into the next section of the lesson. Boggarts can live virtually anywhere in the world, but they like dark, enclosed, quiet spaces. Attics, wardrobes, cupboards, storage units, and the like. This one decided it wanted to live in my briefcase, but before I rehome it, I wanted to give you a chance to practice your skills against a Dark creature. I assume you all know the incantation and theory for countering a boggart?"

"It's the Riddikulus charm," Lily said. "You have to make the boggart turn into something you find funny. Boggarts want to scare you, but if you laugh at it, it'll confuse it, and you'll get the upper hand."

"Well said, Lily, take ten points for Gryffindor." Mara said, and I realized she hadn't given me points for correctly answering her question. I bit my lip to keep from voicing my displeasure.

"Everyone, think of your worst fear. And now, think of something that'll make it funny. Okay, ready? Alright, Sirius, you're up first."

The class seemed startled to be asked to perform so soon, but Mara had already said, "Alohomora!" and the suitcase snapped open.

The students had fanned out into a half-circle line so that the boggart could be clearly visible. Four people lay motionless and bloodied at the front of the room. With a shock, I recognized myself lying spread-eagled on our backs, along with Remus, Peter, and James. We were all dead.

"Riddikulus!" Sirius cried, and the four bodies changed into four golden retriever puppies, squealing and adorable. Every girl in the class, including myself, 'ooh-ed' and 'ahh-ed'.

"Excellent!" Mara shouted. "James, next!"

James ran to take Sirius' place. Crack! The puppies vanished, replaced instead by a gigantic acid-green snake. The diamond pattern of its skin rippled as the snake coiled and drew back its ugly head, its forked tongue flicking out. James had turned ash-white, his eyes huge behind his glasses. I stared at him, stunned. In four years, I had never known James' biggest fear was snakes.

"Come on, James!" Mara said loudly. "Take it down!"

"Riddikulus!" James choked out, and the snake changed into a long white balloon, which popped and zoomed around the room, making a very rude noise. The room filled with laughter.

"Excellent! Peter, go!"

But Peter was frozen to the floor. He shook his head frantically. "I'm not ready!" He squeaked with terror.

"Alright, Peter, hop to the back of the line. Next!"

Lucy Dunstan stepped up. Crack! A loud buzzing filled the rom as a swarm of angry-sounding wasps convulsed in a cloud of yellow-and-black.

"Riddikulus!" shouted Lucy, and the wasps dropped to the floor, turned into Skittles.

"Great job! Next!"

Crack! A shuffling zombie tried to sing. Crack! A skeleton was decorated with flowers and sunglasses. Crack! A spider the size of a dinner plate began to tap-dance.

The line moved quickly. Remus was next.

Crack! A white orb hung in the air, yellow-gray and perfectly round. Remus' hand shook on his wand as he said, "Riddikulus!"

The full moon turned into a white balloon and copied what James' had done and shot around the room noisily. Lily stepped in front of me.

Crack! A huge, hooded figure, twelve-feet tall and cold as winter, with horrible, guttering gasps of breath that sounded like the creature was sucking on the air. Dead, rotted hands. A horrible, clammy feeling swept over me as Lily shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" and a silver doe burst from her wand, catching the dementor with its head and making it stumble on its long trailing robe.

My head was fuzzy again as I watched Lily, half-dazed. Only Peter was behind me now. It was just us two. Blackness hedged at my vision, and I struggled to focus. How had Lily known how to use the Patronus Charm on a boggart that turned into a dementor? How come Peter was behind me? How was it already my turn?

I felt sluggish and dazed as I faced the boggart. The dementor changed shape with a sharp crack!

Four figures stood in front of me. Angelina, Folsom, Professor Salvatore Slytherin, and Virginia. All of them stared at me with varying degrees of hatred and blame.

"Murderer." Angelina spat.

"Doomed." Folsom hissed.

"Thief." Professor Slytherin breathed.

"Alone." Virginia whispered.

I stared at each of them in turn, trembling violently. It was as if we were alone and the rest of the class was absent. "What?" I choked.

"The charm, Amber!" Remus shouted, his voice sounding far away. "You can beat this! Come on!"

I blinked, my palms slick with sweat, but my mind was moving sluggishly, like time had slowed down. "Ri… riddikulus!"

The charm failed. Now, each of the four advanced on me, hands outstretched in cruel accusation. "Murderer. Doomed. Thief. Alone."

"No!" I half-screamed. "NO!"

Someone jumped in front of me. The four figures vanished and there was a loud crack!

A tall man with pale skin stood before us now. His face was waxen and burned, his eyes bloodshot and scarlet. It was a terrible face, barely human and mostly monster. He wore a billowing black cloak, his pitiless eyes trained not on me, but on the boy beside me. He was oddly snakelike.

"Riddikulus!" The boy beside me squeaked, and the horrible man was replaced by a tiny black garter snake, innocently flicking its tongue out at us.

"Excellent Peter!" Mara shouted happily. "Excellent, excellent! Very well done, class!" She opened the suitcase and placed the tiny snake inside, not looking at it all the while. "I'm very impressed with everyone today. I think we can end class now, since you've all done so well. Have a great rest of your day, everyone! Oh, Amber, can you please wait a minute? I'd like a word."

I stood, rooted to the spot, shaken. I had expected to see something else, something like a dementor, or maybe a rabid wolf. Not once had it crossed my mind what my worst fear was. Nor had I ever thought it would materialize like that in front of me. Or that I would be unable to defeat it…

"Hey." Remus said, shaking me gently. "You alright? Come on. Snap out of it. Let's get you some chocolate."

I blinked, trying to regain my composure. My gaze found Peter, who looked breathless. "You did great, Peter."

Peter blushed. "I have a good tutor."

I patted his shoulder awkwardly. "Who was that, Peter?"

Peter paled. "Lord… Lord…" He swallowed hard. "You-Know-Who."

James and Sirius appeared, looking smug. "Looks like we finally beat you at something, Lionheart." Sirius said jovially.

"Shut up." Lily said hotly. "Can't you see she's upset?"

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here." I muttered, trying to shake off the sense of horror that now clung to me like cigarette smoke. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not." Remus said seriously, his gaze penetrating me. "Come on. Let's get you some tea and chocolate."

I shook him off furiously, my raw nerves grated by the sounds of laughter and loud gloating. "I said no! I'm fine, Remus! This is my problem, alright? Everyone else fought off their boggart, but not me! I failed! If this had been a real boggart, what do you think would have happened? I probably would have gone insane if someone didn't step in!"
"Woah, easy, Amber," James said, raising his hands, palms-up. "Come on, let's just go-"

I jerked away from the group, feeling more alone than ever. Virginia had been right. I was alone. No one else had nightmares or visions. No one else had killed someone. No one else was hunted by a sadistic vampire or haunted by a long-dead professor. No one else had lost their little sister. No one else had to fight the same battles as I did. None of them understood. I was alone.

"Amber," Lily said, approaching me, "please."

I shook my head hard, throwing my books back into my bag. "No, Lily. I need to be alone. That's what I am, isn't it? I'm alone. I'm not like the rest of you. I'm different. I'm not one of you. I'm all alone, and I can't pretend anymore that I'm normal or fine anymore! Okay? I'm done pretending. Just leave me alone!"

"Amber!" Lily called as I dashed out of the classroom. "Amber!"

I hurried past other students, desperate to get away from that room, away from my worst fears, away from Mara and my questions and theories. For the first time, I wished I had never come to Hogwarts. I craved the old days of simple childhood, when my biggest problems had been jealousy over Virginia receiving more attention from my mother than I did.

I found the secret passage behind the humped witch on the third floor. "Dissendium!" I choked out. The trapdoor opened, and I hurried through it. I ran all the way to the cellar in Honeydukes, desperate to leave behind my troubles and trials.

I pushed my way through the cellar trapdoor. Thankfully, no one was in the basement of the candy shop, and I was able to sneak up through the store unnoticed. The village of Hogsmeade was mostly empty, since it wasn't a weekend and the students were back in class. I looked down at my school uniform and pulled my hooded travel cloak over my head, hiding my appearance from passersby. I made a beeline for The Three Broomsticks, but realized that if anyone recognized me, it would most likely happen in the popular pub. Instead, I made my way into the other pub in the village, The Hog's Head Inn. The chipped sign swung in the November breeze, displaying the gruesome image of a severed pig's head on a bloodstained cloth. I pushed open the heavy door and let it slam shut behind me.

I wrinkled my nose as unpleasant odor of cigar smoke, body odor, and (strangely enough) goat filled my nostrils. I chose a booth in the back of the small pub. There were only two other customers in the bar. One was a very large man in a tattered black cloak, reminding me so forcefully of the dementor that I drew my wand. His mangled and matted hair stuck out in every direction, and he was big enough to pass as Hagrid's little brother. He sat hunched over at the bar beside a guttering candle stub, drinking from a large tankard. Another figure, leaner and willowy, sat across the pub, wearing a black hooded cloak like mine. His face was concealed so that I couldn't see it.

Trembling hard, I exhaled, focusing on regulating my breathing. It felt cathartic just to get away from my friends, and the castle. I felt like I could relax here and be myself. Other shady characters frequented the pub, so why not me?

I took out my textbook for The Essential Defense Against the Dark Arts and began reading through chapter eight. I had done the work already but wanted to distract myself from the troubling reality I was now mired in. I felt myself loosening up as I immersed myself in the words of the book, the tension flowing away.

A large silver-haired man with a scraggly long beard cleared his throat loudly. I flinched, startled.

The man had piercing blue eyes, vaguely familiar. His face was set in hard lines etched by years of grief or hard work. "What do you want?" He demanded in a sour voice.

I blinked up at him. "I'm sorry?"

"What. Do. You. Want." The bartender growled. "You can't occupy customer space without paying for something. You'll cost me profit."

I looked around the almost-vacant pub. No one was there other than the two shady figures occupying the other parts of the inn. I grimaced. "Alright… I guess I'll have a butterbeer."

The bartender snorted. "You guess." He returned a moment later with a grimy bottle of butterbeer that looked older than me. "Two sickles."

I paid him three. He eyed me coldly.

"A tip?" I said uncertainly. "Do you not want it?"

The bartender rolled his eyes and trudged back to his space behind the counter. He refilled the huge man's tankard with what looked like ale.

Grimacing, I pointed my wand at the bottle and said, "Scourgify." The dust vanished, leaving the glass bottle looking clean and new.

I unscrewed the top while the smaller hooded figure made his way over to my table. I glared at the newcomer as he sat down across from me in the wooden booth. "Excuse me." I said tartly. "I don't really want company right now, thanks."

The hooded figure removed the covering. At first I thought it was Mara. But then I saw the cruel scar cutting down half of her face, and I realized it was her mother, Professor Smith. A wave of powerful relief swept over me.

"Professor!" I whispered excitedly. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! I have to talk to you."

Professor Smith gave a small, tight smile. "I need to speak with you as well, Amber."

Something about the way she spoke made me uneasy. "Professor, are you… are you upset with me?"

Professor Smith gave me a level stare through her bright green eyes. Her scar was more noticeable than ever, garishly contrasting against her otherwise flawless skin. "I wouldn't put it that way, dear. But it's time you and I had words."

I swallowed hard, putting away my textbook, feeling the first stirrings of dread. I knew a lecture when I saw one. I braced myself, clearing my throat. "About?"

Professor Smith crossed her arms, laying them down on the black table separating us. "First, I'd like to remind you that though I am not your mother, I do know quite a deal more than Lena does. And though I appreciate that she is your mother, I do not believe she is able to make decisions that favor the best outcomes for you. I'll ask you to listen to me with the same authority as you'd honor for her instructions."

I blinked, unused to this strict, formal attitude. I recognized it and knew that she was in Auror-mode, no longer my friend or teacher, but rather, a Dark-wizard catcher, and former-Death Eater. "Alright. But will you allow me to have my say as well?"

She dipped her head once in agreement. "Very well. Perhaps you'd like to speak first."

Feeling strangely shameful, I flattened my palms on the table, gripping the edge of the surface with one head to steady myself. "Well, first…" I glanced around, dropping my voice to almost a whisper. "You need to know that I saw Mara speaking with a group of Slytherins who I know are You-Know-Who's supporters. The ones I told you about last year. Avery, Nott, Regulus Black, and Severus Snape." I didn't want to name Severus, since he was still Lily's dearest friend, but I couldn't hold back to spare her feelings anymore. He was involving himself in very real dangers, and Professor Smith needed to know about it. "Folsom was speaking to them from the fireplace through Floo. Also… I'm so sorry, Professor. But Mara was there too. And I think… I think she might be on the Dark side."

Professor Smith's expression didn't change. It remained enigmatic. "Anything else?"

I blinked. I was certain she would have been more upset. She would have done something, anything, rather than act like I hadn't spoken at all. Let alone tell her that her only child was almost certainly a Death Eater. "Professor, did you understand what I-"

"Yes, I am quite capable in my abilities of comprehension." Professor Smith said coolly. "In fact, I daresay I'm more capable than many others in my abilities of understanding. Is there anything else you wished to tell me?"

I stared at her. It was like it wasn't even my teacher anymore. "Yes." I said, my voice tense and icy.

She raised a thin brow. I scowled and said, "someone stole my great-grandmother's book from my room. I couldn't fight off a boggart in class today, which is why I'm here. Also, I just found out my dead sister was a Seer and that I might already be married, according to Madam Cheek." I couldn't keep the sarcasm from my words. "Oh, and I've been having nightmares again. That about cover it?"

Professor Smith's face remained impassive. I rolled my eyes. "Great. Now you're against me, too."

"Sit down, Amber." Professor Smith said calmly, as I had started to rise, intending to leave. "We aren't done talking."

"Well, I am." I said hotly. "Good-bye, Professor Smith. I'll see you at the next Quidditch match, I guess."

Professor Smith didn't move, but I felt frozen in place, as if I had been Stunned. My gaze connected with hers, and I knew that somehow, she had made me immobile.

"You don't have to talk anymore." She said coolly. "But you will listen to what I have to say. Take a seat."

I looked over at the bartender and his only customer, but neither seemed to be aware of our discussion. "Don't worry about them." She said indifferently. "I've used a spell that gives us a soundproof space. They have no idea what we're talking about. Nor do they care."

Still fuming, I threw myself back into the hard, cushionless seat, glowering across the table at Professor Smith. I crossed my arms. "Go on."

She shook her head slightly, a sardonic smile on her lips. "I remember when Mara was your age. Rest assured, Amber, I respect your feelings and your belief that only you know how the world works and only your feelings matter. But maybe when I'm done speaking to you, you'll understand more of what's going on."

"I doubt that." I said sourly.

Professor Smith wasn't fazed. "Alright. First, I'll be blunt with you: I know you're well on your way to becoming an Animagus. You, Potter, Black, and Pettigrew. For whatever reason, Miss Evans isn't in the same plot.

"In addition, I also know about your nightmares and visions. Professor Dumbledore has kept me in correspondence about your struggles in order that I might be able to help you better understand what it means. I must also tell you that you are not a Seer, nor is your father at liberty to speak to you of his work in the Department of Mysteries. He is bound under magical obligation and contract, and it would be unwise for you to ask him again.

"Thirdly, I must ask you to remember that you are only fourteen years old. Wizards older and cleverer than you are in charge and are the ones responsible for maintaining order in our world and protecting the balance between our lives and the Muggles. Your job is not to solve your visions or to defeat Dark wizards. Your only job right now is to be a good student and graduate Hogwarts with the best education you can.

"Fourthly, it is not your place to investigate into the lives of others. It is not only dangerous, but also counterproductive to different objectives and missions within the Ministry and within the Order. Mara is as much of a foe as I am. You are safe when you are within Hogwarts. You not only have the Headmaster looking out for your well-being, but mine as well.

"Lastly, I must ask you to not go looking for trouble, even if it's in the name of finding answers. They will come to you in the right timing. While you do so, you put not only yourself at risk, but also your friends. I know being young is challenging, and I can't imagine what your circumstances have put you through. You've lost your sister. You're torn between two boys. You have visions and nightmares and all the while, you're trying to be a diligent student and Quidditch player. And you're attempting to become an Animagus. I'd say you've bitten off more than you can chew. So, in essence, Amber, I want you to know that you're 'off the hook'. It's not your job to solve our world's problems. It's your job to be a student and friend. Leave the other stuff to the adults."

I gaped at her, stunned. Words failed me. I wanted to scream at her, to shout, and another part of me wanted to shrivel up and die. But all I could do was stare at her, my mouth hanging open.

Professor Smith smiled this time, patting my hands. "It's not easy growing up, dear. I was your age once, too. Just let it go for now, alright?"

"Professor Smith," I finally managed, my throat tight with the tears I held back, "can you tell me… why you just told me all of this?"

She sighed. "I suppose it's because I'm worried about you. Mara was the one who urged me to speak to you. She rather felt you would listen to me better than anyone else. Maybe that's something else you should work on."

I swallowed back the bitter tears and forced myself to meet her gaze. "So, that's it? I'm 'off the hook'?"

"That's right." Professor Smith said simply. "Stop fighting a battle you were never supposed to be in."

"Professor," I asked desperately, "I don't… I want to fight. I want to know why things have happened the way they have. It's not good enough for me to just sit back and wait."

"Aye, but unfortunately, that's what you need to do right now." She said sadly. "When you're older, you can join the Order."

"The Order?" I echoed.

Professor Smith nodded. "The Order of the Phoenix. I'll tell you more about it when you're older. You come of age in three years."

I scowled. "But that's so far away."

Professor Smith looked sadder than ever, wistful and nostalgic. "It'll go much faster than you think." She warned me. "Enjoy the time you are given, Amber. I promise, when the time comes, you'll have your chance to fight your battle. But now is not that time. Put your weapons down to fight when you're ready. Agreed?"

I looked into the depths of the leaf-green eyes, the face that had been slashed. "Can I ask one question?"

Professor Smith sighed. "I suppose."

"Who is Mara's father?"

Professor Smith shook her head. "It's not the right time for the answer to that one, dear."

"Fine. How'd you get that scar?" I asked bluntly.

She pursed her lips, her face shadowed. "This scar was bestowed upon me during a duel I fought in four years ago. A curse intended to kill me was stopped by a Dark wizard, but it left me permanently scarred."

"Who did you duel?" I asked.

Professor Smith raised her brows. "Technically, that's two questions. But the one who I duelled was Sirius Black's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange."