"Bellatrix Lestrange?" I echoed. "Sirius' cousin?" For a moment, I remembered being inside of his house at 12 Grimmauld Place, the huge fabric family tree with the sprawling branches and golden leaves. Faintly, I recalled the face of the young woman, with heavy-lidded eyes and wild black hair.

"Yes. She's his mother's niece. She has two sisters, Andromeda and Narcissa."

"I remember Narcissa." I said darkly. "She was Lucius Malfoy's girlfriend when I was a first year. I don't remember Andromeda, though."

"She graduated last year from Slytherin. Narcissa graduated when you were a second year. Bellatrix was always more… daring than her sisters."

I sat, waiting for her to go on.

Professor Smith sighed. "Bellatrix went to school with Mara. She was in the same year as her, both Slytherins. Both girls expressed an interest in the Dark Arts, but my daughter chose a very different path than Bellatrix. You see, Bellatrix is one of the few people I can confirm who is a Death Eater."

"Like Folsom." I said eagerly.

Professor Smith raised her brows. "Like I used to be. Remember, Amber, you're not supposed to get involved in this."

"But, Professor," I implored, "I'm already involved. I know you don't want me to get deeper into this, but I want to know. I want to help."

"I know, Amber, and I promise you: you'll have your time to fight. But this isn't the time. To answer your question, I intervened between a fight between Mara and Bellatrix. Bellatrix and I fought, and she nearly won."

My jaw dropped. "She almost won? But, Professor, you're one of the strongest witches I know. You're second only to Dumbledore!"

Professor Smith smiled sadly. "I appreciate your praise, Amber, but Bellatrix doesn't play by the rules. She breaks them. She ignores them completely. Near the end of our duel, she attempted to curse Mara with the Killing Curse. She was standing nearby, you see. She wouldn't leave me alone, even though I'd asked to leave in case Bellatrix tried to hurt her, just like she ended up doing. I jumped in the way to take the spell, but someone stopped the curse. Someone jumped in front of me."

"Who?" I asked breathlessly.

Professor Smith looked down at the table top. "Folsom."

I stared at her. Surely I'd heard wrong. "You mean, the vampire Folsom? Not Julian? Or one of his kids?"

"No. Mackenzie Folsom, formerly known as Vincent Folsom. Folsom is already undead and cannot be killed by an Unforgivable Curse. He, like his Master, seeks immortality. In a way, many of us have the same endeavor of never dying. I was once the same way. He couldn't take the full blow, though, and I was left with this mark on my face."

I stared at the scar openly now, seeing for the first time how the scar was actually in a lightning-shape. It was cruel, permanent, and horrific. But in a way, it made her seem even more beautiful. She had been hurt and had delved for herself into the world of Dark Arts. This was the price she had paid for her folly.

"I still feel like this isn't my wages for what I've done." Professor Smith admitted quietly. "I still feel like I haven't quite made up for my mistakes. I believe I have done great damage to many when I once followed Lord Voldemort." She frowned as I flinched at the sound of the name.

"Do you fear his name?" She asked, sounding concerned.

"A lot of people do." I told her frankly. "I'm surprised you don't."

"The fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing itself." She quoted. "Dumbledore said that once, and I've never forgotten it. Don't give the enemy any more power than he already has, Amber. Don't be afraid of a mere name. He'll try to kill either way."

I blanched. "Alright. Professor, are you sure I'm too young to help?"

My teacher smiled gently. She took both of my hands into hers, and I felt an inexplicable peace and understanding pass between us.

"There is a lot that you won't ever be able to answer." She said. "But I know that you are destined for great things. I've known it for a long time. And in time, at the right time, you will be given full access to the knowledge you seek. You're a Ravenclaw. It's in your nature to be curious and want to learn. But you need to exercise self-control and patience. You will be rewarded for it. I promise."

I sighed loudly. "I guess I don't really have a choice, do I?"

Professor Smith chuckled. "No, you don't. Oh, and Amber? Your secret is safe with me."

I blinked. "Which one?" I asked sheepishly.

She chuckled. "I won't tell on you or your friends that you're all becoming Animagus. You really should register yourselves at the right time. I had to do the same thing when I became one."

I stared at her in amazement. "What's your form? What's your animal?"

She winked at me. "I already answered more questions than I allotted you. It's a surprise."

I scowled. "No fair."

Professor Smith smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Life rarely is. Now, come on. Let's get you back to the castle before your friends come looking for you. You're all too much trouble."

November and December passed by in a whirlwind of homework, classwork, exams, and more homework. Now that sleuthing was off the table, I found myself sleeping at night with only one nightmare a week and no more daytime visions. Winter had fully descended upon Hogwarts and the surrounding countryside, which was now coated in unicorn-white snow and cold enough to make breathing outside painful. I was grateful for the warm fires blazing in every room, and for the heavy winter robes Mum had sent to me during a particularly cold snap at the end of November.

The day of Christmas break saw most students leaving for the holiday, including myself. Only three students remained; a scared-looking first year boy, a sour-faced seventh-year boy, and Zoey MacDonald.

"I wonder why she's staying." I wondered as I lugged my suitcase down the steps leading from the Great Hall into the snowy world outside.

"She told me that her parents are visiting her sister and her husband in Italy," Lily informed me. "She told me in the girls' lavatory last night. She hates her brother in law, so she's going to stay here."

Zoey looked oddly small and alone without Angelina, who had been her best friend. Zoey fixed me with a look of mingled sadness and dislike before I was swept away with the other crowd of students making a mass exodus. The majority were leaving by train. Some were going to travel by Floo Powder or Portkey. Since my house was only a couple hours from Hogwarts, I would ride the Express back to Bellinghall before the train arrived back in London.

"Come on, let's grab a compartment." Lily said. Severus was watching her with a look of mingled sadness and anger; his black eyes found me and narrowed in intense dislike. I ignored him and climbed aboard the train, following Lily into an empty compartment and setting my luggage down.

"So," Lily said, smiling. "I have a proposition for you."

"Oh, joy." I muttered.

Lily cleared her throat. "I'll pretend you're excited. Alright, here it is: my parents want to go skiing the weekend after Christmas. Friday through Sunday. Well, they've asked me if I'd like to invite a guest… and I pick you!"

I stared at her. "Skiing? You mean, the Muggle sport when you slide down a hill on sticks?"

"Yeah. Close enough." Lily laughed. "Tuney can't go. She hates winter and wants to go see our grandparents in Nice, France. So she's taking an airplane there. But we already bought her ticket, and I decided to invite my other sister."

I smiled at her, warm inside. "I'd love to go."

Lily clapped her hands, squealing in delight. "Perfect! We can pick you up from your house and drive from there. Have you heard of Lost River?"

"Yes. It's about three hours away from our house. It's a nice ski resort."

"Well, that's where we're going. We have reservations for the lodge, so it's an all-expenses-paid-for trip. Oh, Amber, I'm so excited! This is wonderful!"

"I'm surprised you didn't invite Severus," I told her frankly. "I thought you wanted to spend time with him."

Lily shrugged. "Oh, you know… he's a boy, and Mum and Dad weren't keen on letting a boy come with us."

I could tell that she didn't want to talk about Severus anymore. She wasn't looking at me, and her fingers were twisted around her dark red hair as she stared out the window on the platform of Hogsmeade.

"I think you should be careful." I told her, not really knowing where the words came from. "People are going to have to choose sides, Lily. You can't hold onto someone who chooses darkness if you choose light."

Lily dashed at her eyes, where tears had gathered. "I'm so scared for him, Amber," she admitted in a broken voice. "He's so different now. It's like I don't even know him anymore."

I wanted to reach over and hug her, but the train surged forward, and I had to catch myself before I fell. I handed her a tissue instead, wishing I could do more.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked her.

Lily blew her nose and shook her head. "What's the point? You know what he's like. He never used to be like this. It's like I'm losing him. I'm losing Sev, and there's nothing I can do about it. I hate this, Amber. I hate it!"

I bit my lip, unsure of how to comfort her. It was usually the other way around, with me in tears and Lily offering the words of wisdom. I was not used to being the comforter.

"You know," I began slowly, calculating my words carefully so I wouldn't blunder, "I have a rule for relationships in my life. If times are good more often than they're bad, then it's worth it. But if they're bad more often than they're good… it's not worth it anymore."

Lily looked up at me, her tear-filled green eyes spilling over again. "How do I know when it's the time to end it?"

I shrugged. "Only you can be the judge of that. I think you'll know when."

She sniffled, dabbing at her eyes. Her mascara was running slightly, leaving black smudges underneath her eyes. I grimaced and offered her a second one.

"Thanks," she said, blowing her nose again. The compartment door rattled open and Severus stared down at us. His gaze swept from Lily's to mine. I met his look steadily, hoping he knew just how much he was hurting Lily.

"Can we talk?" He asked Lily quietly. "Alone?"

Lily looked at me. I gave a tiny nod and rose to my feet. I passed by Severus, fixing him with a stern look.

"I'll be back in thirty minutes." I told him. "Don't do anything stupid, Severus."

Severus, who had barely spoken to me over the past four years, looked like he wanted nothing more than to jinx me into oblivion. His hook-like nose flared, his face white with livid indignation.

"Amber, it's okay." She said in a tremulous voice. "Sev, close the door, please."

Fixing him with one last look of warning, I left the compartment. I was alone in the narrow hallways of the car. I chewed on my lip, unsure of where to go. I made my way down the corridor, peeking inside of compartments every few steps. At last, I found the one I sought: the Marauders were all inside, talking animatedly while playing a game of Exploding Snap.

I knocked. The door slid open, and I stepped inside, careful to avoid treading on Peter's feet. Each boy held a hand of cards, in addition to a pile of half-eaten Honeydukes candy lying scattered among the seats.

"Hey, Lionheart!" Sirius said, grinning. He had chocolate staining his teeth. "Want to join? I'm winning, of course, but it'll be more fun with a girl."

"How so?" I asked neutrally as I sat down beside Peter. Remus looked annoyed at my choice.

"Oh, you know, girls are hormonal. Their reactions are better." Sirius said brightly as he dealt me a hand.

I rolled my eyes. "That's why you'll never get married, Sirius Black."

"Please," Sirius said haughtily, "I'm a complete lady's man. I'll have you know I've dated ten girls at Hogwarts already."

I raised a brow as I laid down a card. "Really."

Sirius scowled. "Honestly, I'm hurt, Amber. You don't believe me, do you?"

"Not really." I said as Peter giggled into his half-eaten chocolate frog. I knew full well that Sirius was somewhat of a player in the school, constantly rotating between dates with pretty girls because of his charm and good looks. James enjoyed a similar popularity, but I had noticed that he had stopped dating altogether this year. I had an inkling as to why. Remus hadn't been with anyone since Angelina, and Peter still thought girls had cooties.

"Speaking of the dating game," James interrupted, pushing his glasses up his nose, "how's Lily doing with that ugly blonde bloke?"

My brows were now in danger of disappearing into my hairline. "If you're talking about my cousin Harry, they're doing well. It's pretty serious right now."

"What'd you mean, 'serious'?" James asked aggressively. "Are they snogging and stuff?"

"That is none of your business, James Potter." I said in a stern voice as I unwrapped a bar of dark chocolate and bit off a large piece.

"He's too old for her." James said bluntly. "What is he, twenty-six?"

I snorted. "Try seventeen. He'll be eighteen in a few weeks."

"Isn't Locke thirty or something?" Sirius asked mildly.

I rolled my eyes. "No, he's eighteen. His birthday was last month." I had sent him a pair of broomstick-embroidered socks and a birthday card. He had responded immediately with a letter, and we'd been exchanging post daily ever since.

"Are you two just friends?" Remus asked in an expressionless voice. I glanced at him, but he was staring down at his hand of cards.

"For now." I said delicately. Remus turned pink and a muscle jerked in his cheek. I refused to take back my words or hide my intentions anymore. Even though I loved Remus, I wasn't going to wait for him like a poor besotted fool. If things continued between Sean and I as they were, I knew eventually we would have to go on a date, just to test the waters. Whether that happened in a few months or a year, I knew it was just a matter of time. As much as I wanted to be with Remus, I knew I needed to move on with my life and take Lily's advice and at least try a date with Sean.

"Speaking of older guys," James said, inhaling a fat piece of coconut cake, "have you ever thought of going with an older girl?"

Peter's jaw dropped, as if the very idea was horrendous. Remus was staring out the window, not listening. I shrugged. "I don't see a problem dating an older guy. Or a younger guy. As long as it's healthy. What about you, Sirius?"

A small grin had formed on his face, but Sirius remained silent. He whistled as he laid down a card. "Why all this talk about dating, anyway? It's a hassle when girls get all hung-up on you. Right Moony?"

But Remus wasn't listening. His body language clearly conveyed that he wanted to be left alone. I ignored him and continued to play with the others. Finally, one of Peter's cards exploded, effectively ending our round. Before we could start another, however, there was a loud knock on the glass door. I allowed it to slide open.

A stern-looking blonde girl with a long braid over one shoulder surveyed the compartment with icy blue eyes. I noticed a Prefect's badge on her lapel.

"Can we help you?" Sirius asked cheerfully.

The girl frowned. "I thought I heard a commotion."

"That would be a little game called Exploding Snap." He said brightly. "Care to join us?"

The girl looked like she had never smiled in her life. Her eyes narrowed at Sirius' grin.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She demanded in an icy voice.

"Because you're beautiful?" Sirius said innocently. The girl, who was almost as pale as Folsom, blushed fiery red at his bold words. James whistled, grinning widely.

"I don't want to hear anymore explosions in here. Understood?" She said in a tightly controlled voice.

"Whatever you want, love." Sirius cajoled. "What's your name?"

The girl lifted her chin a notch. "It doesn't matter. You aren't in the same league as me, Black."

James burst out laughing, while Peter gasped. But Sirius looked intrigued.

"And why's that?" He asked innocently.

"I've heard about you." She said evenly. "I don't intend to become your next victim. Enjoy the rest of your ride, children." She let the door slam shut. Sirius leapt to his face, an excited grin on his face.

"What the devil are you doing?" I asked incredulously as he wrenched open the door.

"Going to find out more about her." Sirius said devilishly as he took off down the corridor after the girl.

I shook my head. "I know who that is. Idiot. I would have told him her name if he'd asked."

"Who is she?" James asked eagerly.

"Her name is Stella White." I replied. "She's a Slytherin Prefect, sixth year. She's in the Slug Club."

"Oh." James said, wrinkling his nose. Apparently he had lost all interest at the word 'Slytherin'. "Anyway, who's up for another round of Exploding Snap? Peter, you deal."

"Pass." Remus said tartly as Peter laid out four cards. Startled, Peter shuffled the deck and dealt for three players. I refused to look at Remus, wondering instead how Lily and Severus were faring.

After a second round of Exploding Snap, in which James's glasses turned black because of the soot, Sirius returned. His face was pale and he looked like he had been sick.

"Sirius!" James said, shocked. "What's the matter, mate? You look awful."

Sirius shook his head numbly. "I just… I never knew… She made me think. Really think, you know? Did you know how much of a prat I've been to girls? I'm a serial dater. I've broken hearts without even blinking. Merlin's beard." He buried his face in his hands.

The four of us exchanged looks. "Uh, Sirius?" James asked uncertainly. "What exactly happened?"

Sirius lifted his horror-struck face. His gray eyes were wide with the look of someone who has realized he has done something terrible. "She just… made me see things. I don't know, mate. I think she used some kind of hex."

"Want me to repay the favor?" James asked in a dark voice, drawing his wand.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, for Heaven's sake, James. Put that away before someone loses an eye."

Sirius stared at me. "Amber. You're a girl."

"Oh, well spotted." I said acidly.

"No! I mean… you understand. You know how and why girls think they way they do."

"You could say that." I said icily. "I have to go; I promised I'd go back to Lily after half an hour. I'm going to be late."

"I can't believe she said no to me." Sirius went on, his voice hollow. "She dumped me. She dumped me good."

"How can she dump you if you just met her?" I challenged, rising to my feet.

"I don't know. She made me feel things… see things… I don't know."

"Maybe it's time for you to stop fooling around with so many girls and just commit to one already." I told him harshly. "Honestly, Sirius. Get a hold of yourself."

"She dumped me." Sirius said again, miserable.

"Here, have some chocolate, buddy." James encouraged. "Come on, eat up."

"Have a nice holiday, boys," I said, waving. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!" Peter exclaimed. "Merry Christmas," James and Sirius said in unison, as James tried to salvage Sirius' shattered pride. Remus gave me a small nod. "Merry Christmas."

I left them and returned to Lily's compartment. "How'd it go?" I asked her as the door shut behind me.

Lily's eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. "We talked."

"And?" I inquired.

"Well, we're still friends." She said quietly, looking at the floor with her hands clenched in her lap. "For now."

I gazed at her, sensing the deep despair and impending loss. "I'm so sorry, Lily. Maybe he'll change."

"I don't know." She said, scrubbing at her face. "I'm so confused, Amber. I hate this."

I sat beside her, putting an arm around her. "It's going to be alright."

"Thanks, Amber." She sighed, wilting against me. "I'm scared for him. I hope he realizes what he's doing before it's too late."

I didn't know what to say to this. I listened to her recount all of the good times and bad with Severus until the train rolled into Bellinghall. I stood up, collecting my trunk and giving her another hug.

"I'll see you soon." I promised her. "You know my address, right?"

"404 Highland Road." Lily chanted. "I won't forget. I'll send you an owl."

"Bye, Lily." I said, and departed the train. A light snow fell from the gray sky as the maroon train rolled away from the platform and disappeared around a corner. Standing beside an old blue Ford truck was Dad and Naomi.

"Hey, kid," Dad said warmly as he embraced me. "How was the ride?"

Naomi crushed my ribs as Dad loaded my luggage into the truck bed. "Short. Nice. Hey, Naomi, I can't breathe."

"Sorry!" Naomi squealed, beaming up at me.

"Your mother's working at her pastry shop." Dad said as we climbed into the cabin of the truck. "We'll stop by before heading home so she can see you and you can grab something to eat."

"Oh, joy." I muttered as the old truck meandered down the streets of downtown Bellinghall village. We had arrived at the pastry shop within a minute.

Mum certainly had been busy. The rundown, derelict building that had been abandoned for years had been given new life. The one-story cottage-like building had been given a fresh coat of sky-blue paint. The large bay windows had been scrubbed clean. Bright twinkle lights hung down from the exposed beams I could see from outside as we neared. The brick walkway was covered in snow. A circular white wooden sign with elegant golden letters hung from the side of the building: The Three Sisters Bakery.

We opened the door, which jingled merrily. The small bakery had only a few tables, and every single one was full of loudly-talking patrons. Everyone had a hot drink and a pastry in front of them. Behind the glass counter was Mum, wearing a pale blue dress robe and a flour-dusted red apron. Two twenty-something year olds worked with her as they served customers. There was quite a long line waiting to order at the counter.

"The bakery's been a huge success," Dad said as we inched toward the back of the small cafe. "There wasn't one before in Bellinghall, and your mum filled that niche. She gets orders for birthday and wedding cakes, cupcakes, business parties… she even got an order from the assistant to the Minister of Magic for an enchanted cheesecake!"

I watched as Mum and her two cohorts worked in perfect harmony to serve customers and run their cafe. Every customer looked happy and relaxed. Naomi helped herself to a chocolate croissant as I bit my fingernails, nervous. Was this how Mum was going to move on from Virginia's death? Was running a bakery really a good idea? Could she handle the pressure of what a business would demand of her?

Mum spotted us and hurried over. She hugged me, swooping down to kiss me. She didn't have to reach down that far anymore. I was quickly catching up in height.

"Amber!" Mum cried, her jewel-blue eyes bright with excitement. "It's so good to see you! How are you? How was the train ride?"

"Uh…" I thought for words. "You look busy. Maybe we should talk later?"

Mum wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron. "Nonsense. Silva and Hannah can handle themselves for a few minutes. I'll go grab you something to eat and we'll talk over there."

"Silva Higgs?" I asked. "The girl I lifeguarded with this summer?"
"That's the one!" She said brightly. "She's a great worker. Makes a lot of tips. Popular girl. She went to Hogwarts with Sean Locke. Hufflepuff."

I grimaced. "That's her." I still hadn't quite forgiven Silva for the number of would-be victims she'd had to rescue this summer at the lake, while I had none.

Mum flashed behind the counter while we looked for a place to sit. Naomi went over to a table where a young couple sat, staring dreamily at each other.

"Excuse me, can you leave?" Naomi asked politely. "We need a place to eat and you're kind of just staring at each other."

"Naomi!" Dad said, embarrassed.

I laughed. I admired her candor.

The young couple looked up, startled, and vacated the table. Naomi sat down triumphantly while Dad shook his head.

"I thought we raised you better," he said in a defeated tone.

"She's honest, at least." I said brightly as I sat next to my youngest sister. Mum appeared a moment later and placed a chocolate-raspberry slice of cheesecake before me.

"Eat up!" she said. "You look so thin."

"Thanks." I said drilly, taking a bite. It was very good, cloud-soft and full of flavor.

"So, how's school going?" Mum asked, sitting beside dad. "We got your owl this morning for your fall grades. Third in your class, huh? That's amazing."

"Yeah. Lily's first. Remus is second." I nibbled at the cake.

"So, Remus…" Mum said coyly. "Is he your boyfriend?"

I nearly choked. "No, Mum. He's just a friend. A really good friend. Who happens to be a boy."

"So he's your boyfriend." Naomi said.

I smacked my hand to my forehead. "No. Not at all."

"Well, I personally don't see the difference." Naomi said airily as she bit into her croissant.

"Trust me, there's a huge difference." I said darkly, thinking of Angelina and Remus' brief relationship.

"Anyway, Amber," Mum carried on, smiling happily, "your father and I are so proud of you and how well you're doing that we've decided to take you to a professional meet-and-greet Quidditch game this summer!"

I stared at them. "But, Mum… I've already got tickets from my teacher, Mara Smith. She plays for the Montrose Magpies. Remember?"

Dad looked oddly flushed; Mum surprised. "Oh! I completely forgot about those. Well, then, that changes things. You've got a nice owl and a nice broom… so what else would you like? A new set of dress robes? A gift check for a book store?"

"Actually," I said, looking squarely at Dad and completely disregarding Professor Smith's warning, "I'd like to know what Dad does at the Ministry of Magic. Can you take me to work with you for a day so I can job-shadow you?"

Mum exchanged a long, loaded look with Dad. Dad cleared his throat and unbuttoned the top button of his flannel shirt. "I don't know if I can do that, Amber. I work in a very secret part of the government. It's not exactly the kind of place I can take my child to work."

"What if I had special permission?" I went on, wondering if James and Sirius could forge a signature well enough to pass through Ministry of Magic security. "If Professor Dumbledore said it was okay, then wouldn't I be able to go with you? He's in the First Class Order of Merlin, on the Wizengamot…"

Dad looked heavily at Mum, who was looking at me with an odd expression on her face. "Why would you want that, dear? Wouldn't something else be nicer? Even a trip to the lake or something-"

"No, Mum, I'm certain that's what I want." I told her enthusiastically. "If I want to work in the Ministry someday… Don't you want me to have a good career and life when I'm grown up and on my own?" I blinked innocently at them, using every ounce of charm I possessed. I had seen Sirius and James use the same wheedling tactic countless times to escape punishment. I crossed my fingers under the table, hoping it would work.

It did. Dad let out a long gusty sigh, and I knew I had won. "Alright. If you don't mind going in on a holiday, I'll take you after Christmas before you head back to Hogwarts. But you'll have to sign a few forms and waivers saying you aren't going to speak. Confidentiality forms, you know. You'll also have to go through security, and you can't come with me everywhere. But I'll probably have a tour guide bring you around the Ministry when that happens."

"Brilliant." I told him happily, already planning to write James a letter and ask if I could borrow his cloak of invisibility for the trip so I could sneak away from the tour guide. "Also, Lily invited me to go on a weekend ski trip… is that alright? Her parents will pick me up. You wouldn't have to pay a thing."

Mum and Dad blinked. Naomi pouted. "But you just got back! Why can't you stay and visit with us? I never get to see you anymore."

"We'll spend time together while I'm home, Naomi," I promised her, ruffling her hair. "Besides, I've got my own life now at school and with my friends. I can't always be here with you."

Naomi looked sad. "You never have time for me anymore."

My heart twisted. She had that Sirius-James look pegged perfectly. "Naomi… come on. Let's go out and build a snowman right now."

"Okay!" She yelled, jumping to her feet. "Let's go!"

"Amber, we also wanted to talk to you about this trip." Mum interrupted. "There won't be boys on it or anything, will there?"

"No, of course not, Mum." I told her. "Remus and Sean aren't my boyfriends."

"That's surprising," Mum mused. "Because Sean asked your father for permission to date you at your birthday party. And I'm sure that Remus boy isn't going down without a good fight."

I stared at them, horrified. "He what? Sean did what?"

"Come on, Amber!" Naomi pleaded, tugging on my arm insistently. "You promised!"

"We'll talk about this later." I told my parents, mortified.

"You bet we will." Dad grumbled unhappily. "Now go play with your sister and stop growing up."

"I grew up, Dad," I said sourly, rolling my eyes as Naomi tugged me away. "I promise I won't do it again."

Lily and her parents picked me up from the house as promised that Friday. A storm bringing half a foot of snow was forecasted for all of Saturday, meaning that we would be snowed in and have plenty of flakes for skiing that weekend. Mum and Dad greeted Lily's parents, Rose and Brian Evans, and offered them a cup of tea before we departed.

"We can't," Rose Evans apologized. "We want to beat the storm. It's supposed to start around midnight. My goodness, are those knitting needles making a sweater all by themselves?"

"Magic, Mum," Lily assured her. "It's not going to hurt you."

"It's fascinating!" Rose Evans exclaimed. She shared her daughter's dark red hair, but had large, pale eyes that were kind and warm. "Lily's the only witch in our family, you know. We were so surprised when she was a little girl and made the cat fly all by himself. Fluffy's never been the same, poor thing…"

"Rose," Brian sighed, black-haired and green-eyed, the same eyes he had passed onto his youngest daughter, "come on, we don't want to be late."

He shook hands with Dad, who offered again to pay for my share of expenses, but he was shouted down by Lily's parents.

"It's Muggle money anyway, Dad," I told Dad, climbing into the backseat of the station wagon. "We can't use Wizarding money at the resort."

"Oh, right," Dad said gruffly. "Have fun, noodle-brain."

"Bye, Mom, Dad." I said as I shut the door. Once the car began to move down the lonely country road, her parents began to grill us about Hogwarts and what kinds of magic we were learning there. Lily smiled and rolled her eyes as she did the majority of the talking. I found myself relaxing, however, and recounting my own experiences at the school. I left out the visions and nightmares, as well as the illegal things I did with the Marauders.

The ski resort was packed to the seams with holidaymakers when we arrived. While Mr. and Mrs. Evans checked us in, Lily and I ventured outside and scoped out the impressive mountain rearing up behind us. The resort was situated at the very base the mountain, which loomed majestically and terrifyingly into the overcast sky.

"Having second thoughts?" Lily asked slyly as we followed her parents to the lodge we were renting.

"Maybe a little," I admitted as my stomach twisted unpleasantly at the sight of ant-sized people zooming down the white slopes.

"You look nervous." Lily remarked as we left our luggage and headed for the booth where we would pick up our equipment. "Skiing can't be that much different than Quidditch."

"Trust me, there's a big difference." I assured her as we bundled up and lugged our skis outside into the bitter air. The air smelled strongly of incoming snow, and every time the wind blew, my skin felt like it froze.

"If you're going to freak out, please don't embarrass me," Lily begged as she watched a handsome group of teenage Muggles walk by. "I want to talk to people."

"Aren't you dating Harry?" I retorted as we stopped to step into our skis.

"Well, yeah," Lily said evasively, "but it's not like we're married yet."

"Yet." I muttered. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"I'm not." She shot back, tossing back her long mane of red hair. "I just know what I want."

"Whatever you say." I said as I looked again at the huge mountain and gulped.

"Maybe we should start on the bunny slope," Lily recommended as we shuffled over to the line of tiny bundled-up children waiting in line to be taxied up to the top of the bunny slope.

"This is humiliating!" I hissed as we were carried forth by the momentum. "These kids are half our size and look at them!"

The children were zooming down the bunny slope as if they'd been skiing since birth. Lily rolled her eyes. "Everyone has to start somewhere. Including you. Just relax. Stop fidgeting."

I was picking nervously at my jacket. "I can't. I'm nervous."

"Oh, don't be!" She chided. "I've seen you play Quidditch. You're fine flying at fifty miles an hour a hundred feet high, but you aren't okay with this?"

"I'm just getting used to this." I said in a dignified voice as we waited at the top of the slope.

"Fair enough." Lily admitted. "Come on."

She and I slowly meandered down the slope. My hands were clenched so tightly on the poles that I quickly lost feeling in them. It took ten minutes to reach the end of the short run.

"See?" She said coaxingly. "That wasn't so bad. Ready to try that green run?" She pointed to an alarmingly steep slope up the hill, accessible only by chairlift.

"No way." I said immediately. "I need another practice run."

"Oh, alright, chicken." Lily said crossly as I completed a second sluggish scrape down the slope before she dragged me over to the short que for the green run. My heart pounded hard as my stomach squirmed inside of me. "Lily," I said, my voice hitching as our feet hung over the open air.

"How is this any different from a broomstick?" She sighed in exasperation. "Honestly, Amber."

"It's very different!" I said hotly. "I use my hands to guide the broom. Not my feet!"

"Oh, relax!" She snapped. "Come on. Look, we're going to get off now. Ready? Go!"

Startled, I put my feet down and shakily slid down the small ramp at the exit of the chair lift. We stood at the top of the run, which rolled down all the way back to the resort, which was small and distant. I felt dizzy and weak.

"Maybe you should sit down," Lily advised, looking concerned now. "You don't look so good."

"I'm fine." I lied, trembling as I gripped the two poles. "I'm just… not used to this…"

"It can't be that much different from flying." She said, taking on a soothing note now. "Just picture your poles as the broomstick. Right? It's not that bad. Come on, try it. I'll use a Shield Charm if you fall. Or a Cushioning Charm. I've got your back."
I swallowed against the horrible dryness in my throat and braced myself for certain death. "I don't like this." I said stupidly.

"Nonsense." Lily said breezily. "Skiing is just Muggle Quidditch. You'll love this. I promise." She leaned forward and shot down the towering slope, leaving a spray of snowflakes in her wake.

I watched her, horror-struck, as she twisted and pivoted her hips so that she cut her way in a zig-zag down the slope. She reached the bottom and waved at me. "Come on!" She shouted, her voice sounding very far away.

I gulped, gripping the ski poles tightly. I wished I had a helmet or bubble wrap. Anything to protect me from what I knew to be certain death.

Before I could rethink the whole thing or ask to ride the lift down to the safety of the bottom of the mountain, my skis began to slowly slide down the lip of the hill.

"Oh, no." I said weakly as the skis picked up momentum. "Oh, NO. AHHHHHH!"

I screamed as the skis raced me down the mountain slope. I desperately tried to slow down, but I didn't know how. "Make a pizza slice," Lily had told me on the bunny slope. I tried, but it didn't work. It was like my skis were possessed by their own accord.

"Amber! You did it! You're… hey! Slow down! AMBER!" Lily's triumphant voice changed to terrified mid-talk. I flashed past her, barreling past the bunny slope and through the other skiers as a tiny red shed came hurtling into my field of vision. It was getting bigger and closer at a sickening fast pace. Desperately, I reached for my wand, but it was too late. A split second later, I smashed like a Mac truck into a cement wall. My body hit the wooden shed with such force that I was ejected from my skis. I felt myself being thrown backwards and land on something hard and cold, and saw a bright white light that I assumed to be the sun. Then, everything went black.