A/N: Thank you to everyone for the support!

IAmAVampireGirl and SB - Potterhead Budgie Lover, thanks for the awesome reviews! You're the best!

"Hold on…I've never seen how Ursa Major is a bear?"

"Well, that's because you don't know the story! Look, according to Greek Mythology there was a nymph named Callisto. Zeus, just like with many other stories in Greek Mythology, fell in love with her and they had a child. But, when the lightning god brought the child to Hera, his wife, she understandably got mad and turned Callisto into a bear. Time passed and years later Callisto and Zeus' son, Arcas, roamed the woods where Callisto lived. She tried to speak to him, but could only growl and Arcas prepared to attack her. To protect Callisto, Zeus turned Arcas into a bear and swung them by their tails into the northen sky, where they could live forever,which…"She paused to draw the constellation on his parchment. "…Is why this part may confuse you." She pointed towards three stars that stretched out from the rest, creating a long line. "Their tails got longer when Zeus threw them; this is her tail." She ended with a smile.

"So, this is Callisto…and Ursa Minor is Arcas." Longbottom slowly concluded.

"Precisely!" She beamed, both from pride and from being able to talk about what she loved.

It was late into the evening as they sat in a secluded corner of the library. After they'd fished their homework, they got to talking about all bunch of stuff, completely forgetting the time. He started asking her questions about Astronomy and she was more than happy to explain, letting her guard down for once.

Looking out the window, she sighed happily as the beautiful serenity outside caught her attention. Snow blanketed everything it could get on, the setting sun cast a breathtaking glow over the grounds and she felt at peace.

She couldn't believe it was almost Christmas break. The months had gone by in a blur of homework, reading and detentions. She had found herself seeking out detentions with McGonagall and the other teachers at Hogwarts that gave 'normal' detentions. She found it much better to spend her evening scrubbing desks and pots instead of facing her housemates. Besides, she enjoyed cleaning. McGonagall had become slightly suspicious about her odd behavior but didn't say a word; hopefully she deduced this was her way of coping with her loss.

Then there was Longbottom. Something changed after the night at the hospital wing. They were careful not to be seen together too much, but after Snape's essay, Aya had insisted on helping him getting his homework perfect so he had no choice but to at least give him an 'Acceptable'. Longbottom's future depended on these grades, it was the least she could do. In return, he helped her with anything he could and they started to regularly meet up at the library, even if they didn't have homework.

A feeling that she was being watched broke through her thoughts and she looked to her side to see Longbottom staring at her.

"What?" she asked, taking another sip of her tea. After he'd noticed how well the tea worked for her, he kept bringing her more. She tried to get him to stop but to no avail, so it became their thing. She could be seen sipping tea numerous times of the day and Longbottom claimed it was enough for him just to see her much healthier and rested. Every time he said this; she blushed and every time he saw her with her teacup, he blushed as well.

"It's just…" He stuttered, distractedly scratching a cut on his cheeks. He had a lot of detentions with the Creeds, and her heart sunk every time he showed up with a new injury. Reaching out, she grabbed his hand to stop him.

"Stop that, you'll make it worse." She chided, shooting him gentle glare. His hand send tingles through hers and his cheeks turned red as he apologized with a sheepish smile. "Now, what were you saying?" She chuckled.

"You look…different. Happier." He whispered, meeting her eyes. His words made her freeze mid-sip and stare at him. Did she? Look happier? Was she…happy? She hadn't taken note of it yet, but she knew something was different. She felt… warmer, somehow. Breaking the rules to get detentions had grown on her, she even started to love it, constantly hiding her mischievous smiles. Having Longbottom, someone who talked about what actually interested her, someone who was nice and gentle, someone who cared for her health for whatever reason, it made her more excited for the day. He baffled her, that's for sure, and she didn't know how to react to it. So, she just let him do his thing, unaware of how important he was becoming to her. Yes, an unknown, pleasant ball of warmth was growing inside her cold chest, and even though it was alarming, she quite liked the feeling.

"I think I am." She whispered back, staring strangely into her tea. Longbottom gave the goofy smile she'd learn to love.

"Well, that's splendid!" He claimed and she chuckled.

"Yeah, I know right, who would have thought? Aya Reeds, happy." She joked. He was quiet for a moment before taking her hand again.

"You deserve to be happy, you know that right?" His words made her heart jump as she felt his warm fingers dancing with hers, leaving her breathless. What was happening?

"No, Ne- I mean Longbottom, I'm a bad person." She stuttered, studying his gentle eyes with confusion. God, those eyes. Those rich orbs of chocolate that reflected the sunset outside, making him look heavenly. His lips always sported the most beautiful and sincere smiles she had ever seen. Before he could reply, they heard running footsteps and the face of Velda Casey appeared from behind the bookshelves. She didn't waste time as she ran to Aya, grabbing her arm and tugging her up.

"Velda, what are you..?" She tried to pull back but Velda was a lot stronger than her. She didn't even spare Longbottom a glance as she dragged her away from him.

"No time to explain, we have to go." She panted, forcibly making her walk faster. Aya managed to shoot Longbottom an apologetic and slightly confused look before she lost sight of him.

"Will you just tell me where we're going?!" Velda had dragged her all the way to the grounds, and she wasn't stopping. The sky was getting dark and Aya was more than worried as to why they were here. The snow under their feet made their march even more silent, until Velda finally gave her an answer.

"You know, it was a good plan, but it was going too slow, you needed a push." She grunted, still holding the steel-like grip on her arm. Dread filled her whole as she processed her words.

"What? …Vel what did you do?" She breathed. She didn't….she wouldn't…

"I decided to be the one to push you... I wrote your Aunt." Her voice was cold but cracked at the last word. Aya's feet rooted on the spot and for the first time, Velda let her stop. No.

"WHAT?!" she all but yelled. Velda winced but tried to keep calm.

"It's for your own good. She's waiting outside the grounds, she wants you to meet our Lord." Despite her calmness, she could see unshed tears in her eyes, and she knew why. Why would she do this to her?! She could feel tears well up in her own eyes as it became hard to breathe.

"Vel…yo-you are aware of what will happen should I fail this?" Her voice shook with the rest of her body as took in the situation she was in. This was bad, so, so bad.

"You're not going to fail. I believe in you." Damn her and everything she stands for. How dare she?! She had never felt so much…betrayal. A person she used to call a friend was all but sending her to her death. She wasn't sure if she was cold because of the weather or the ice that grew inside of her.

"I can't believe you did this to me." Anger replaced her fear, and she could see a tear slip down Velda's cheek. Her voice raised as she looked at with utter disgust. "How dare you cry, you little shi-"

"I did it for you! I was panicking! I got news they were recruiting students! What if they heard about your friendship with Longbottom and took it the wrong way?! You'd be killed on the spot just like your-"

"Stop it! You have no right to fear for my life, you left it." She spit at her. The cold wind was biting at her cheeks and closed her eyes trying to think.

Velda sold her out. Her aunt was here. She was going to meet the man, the monster, who was destroying the world. They knew about Longbottom, their friendship. She gulped.

This was bad.

She had never felt so much anger and fear in her life. Not even when her parents died. Then she was just…numb. She knew, in some way, that they were doomed. They were not like the others, they were unsure and jumpy, and with the war brewing, it was only a matter of time. She accepted it and just cried.

Now, she was conflicted. She couldn't become a Death Eater, so she'll be killed, simple as that. Or, become a Death Eater and try to run, like her parents.

For some reason she couldn't find it in her to leave something as important as this.

So, she'll be killed.

"Don't look so glum, you're about to meet The Dark Lord." Her aunt, the single most despiteful thing on earth, purred. Her smile made her sick.

Her gaze strayed forward to see the Malfoy Manor. She'd only been there once, as a child and as beautiful as it was, it scared her. There were too many shadows, too many secrets laying in the large house. She was used to holding a facade, but no amount of experience could keep her fear in complete check.

"Bella!" The smooth voice of Narcissa Malfoy was heard as soon as we were in the entrance. The sisters greeted each other and Aya's eyes roamed the room until she caught a figure in an archway.

Draco Malfoy.

Their eyes met. She hadn't seen him all year, had he been here the entire time? He was probably recruited. She'd never seen him so unlike himself, his stance wasn't smug, there were dark circles under his eyes and he looked paler than normal. Something shone in his eyes as he recognized her, something desperate.

Before she could figure it out, they were all ushered down a dark hall. Paintings of ancient Pure-bloods were perfectly lined on the walls, their eyes following their every move. Stopping in front of a large door, Mrs. Malfoy took a deep breath and looked at her.

"He's waiting for you." She whispered, her figure nervous and sympathy shone through her eyes. Narcissa had always been kind to her. Looking to her side, she locked eyes with Draco again, something growing inside her through the fear, something she felt when gaining detentions, something that kept her face strong and her body from shaking too much. Draco saw it too, judging from the surprised look on his face. Sucking in a breath, she opened the door.

Sorry for the cliffhanger! Let me know if you guys like this :)