Dahlia made her way back to the classroom, the second year class was the last of that afternoon, it would give her time to plan lessons in the hopes they would not be detracted from, at least too much. It was funny; she didn't hate working with him as much as she thought she would. Gilderoy was actually a gentleman, conceited, but a gentleman nonetheless. He was considerate and kind, he let her take on a much bigger role than she originally thought she would with him as Professor. He wasn't terrible to look at either…that thought stopped her dead in her tracks, "Really Dahlia, you're here to learn and pursue a potential career, not to be won over by the first pretty face with blonde hair that smiles at you awkwardly," she softly scolded herself before continuing back to the classroom.
As she approached the entrance she saw Harry almost questioning if he wanted to venture in to deal with Lockhart. He heard her approach and his trepidation fell from his face, "Dahlia," he called but he paused awkwardly after he said her name.
Dumbledore's niece laughed, "I understand completely Mr. Potter, and if it makes you more comfortable Miss Dumbledore is fine." They both looked at the closed door and sighed, "After you," she opened the door for the young boy. "You're saving me from returning fan mail tonight," she winked at him, "you should crash a car into the grounds more often," they laughed.
"Mr. Potter," Lockhart came bounding out of his office, he turned to Dahlia and gave a quick smile, "Thank you Lotus for delivering him to detention."
"Of course Professor," she answered sweetly while ushering Potter upstairs.
"You'll be all right?" his voice was tinged with concern leaving her alone, even if he was upstairs only moments away.
"I'll be fine, just planning out lessons for a few days."
He gave a confident smile and nodded his head, "Excellent," he turned to Harry at the top of the stairs, "Let's get this punishment under way!"
Dahlia smiled and laughed slightly at his enthusiasm and Harry's trudging footsteps forward into Lockhart's office. She settled in searching through the most recent text for Defense Against the Dark Arts and referencing it to Lockhart's published works, which she had read a few times to be familiar with the material. She had bookmarked hundreds of pages over his 6 books. Of course Gilderoy took it to mean she was just another huge fan of his. The lilac haired girl giggled to herself as she wrote down all the possible and non destructive lessons for all students of all years, hoping to avoid another pixie incident.
She had gotten up to refresh her tea for the fourth time and fetch a new candle to finish the last plan of the week for the fifth years. Dumbledore's niece had just returned to desk enjoying a hot sip of tea when Harry flew out of Lockhart's office.
"Do you hear it?" he questioned, his voice was rising up with fear.
"Hear what Harry," she responded and listened but couldn't hear anything.
"Never mind," he said running out of the room.
"Harry!" she called after him along with Lockhart standing at the top of the landing.
"What happened?" Dahlia questioned the blonde professor.
"I, um, am not sure Lily, but I'll chase after him to find out," he put his hands on her arms looking into her pale blue eyes, "stay here and stay safe," he whispered getting close to her face grazing her forehead with his lips before he bounded off after the young wizard.
Dahlia stood shaken as she touched the spot his lips did, "What?" her voice filled with confusion over Harry bolting from the classroom to Lockhart's inappropriate crossing of mentor and mentee boundaries. She shook off the bewilderment and dashed after them, she questioned her pursuit every time her foot hit the stone floor of the castle. Suddenly she stopped at the sight of her uncle, McGonagall, Snape, Lockhart, Mr. Filtch, and a crowd of students. Dahlia held back just outside of the group.
"Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately," Albus stated, "everyone except you three," he looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Ravenclaws follow me," the current head boy said as they passed the former prefect giving her a nod.
Dahlia crept closer only to be spotted by Lockhart and he pulled her in front of him and into his chest and strong grip on her shoulders as the crowd that was left continued to listen to Dumbledore.
"She's not dead Argus; she has been petrified," he told the visibly upset caretaker.
The teacher's assistant looked at the flooded floor and saw Mrs. Norris frozen in place; she then turned her gaze to the wall covered in bloody writing, "Enemies of the Heir, beware." Pale blue eyes widened at the phrase and was about to open her mouth to speak but was cut off by Gilderoy.
"Thought so," he said confidently, "So unlucky I wasn't there. I know exactly the counter curse that could have spared her." Dahlia looked up at the Professor who smiled gallantly at her before she returned to the conversation at hand.
"But how she has been petrified, I cannot say," Albus continued as though he hadn't heard Lockhart.
"Ask him," Filtch said angrily pointing at Harry, "It's him that's done it. You saw what he wrote on the wall."
"It's not true, Sir," Harry pleaded, "I never touched Mrs. Norris."
"Rubbish," Argus rebutted.
"If I might, Headmaster," Snape interrupted, "Perhaps Potter and his friends were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. However…the circumstances are suspicious. I, for one, don't recall seeing Potter at dinner." Severus glared at the boy like there was some deep grudge he was holding against the 12 year old.
"I'm afraid that's my doing, Severus." The DADA Professor spoke up releasing Dahlia's shoulders and moving forward toward the group of Gryffindors, "You see Harry was helping me answer my fan mail."
"It's true," Dahlia spoke up, "Harry dashed past me only moments before we all gathered here, not nearly enough time to petrify a cat and write on the wall in blood."
"That's why Ron and I went looking for him, Professor." Hermione filled in their presence at the scene, "We'd just found him when he said…" she trailed off.
"Yes, Miss Granger," McGonagall questioned.
"When I said I wasn't hungry," Harry stated. "We were heading back to the common room when we found Mrs. Norris."
"Innocent until proven guilty, Severus," Dumbledore told Snape.
"My cat has been petrified! I want to see some punishment!"
"We will be able to cure her, Argus. As I understand it, Madame Sprout has a very healthy growth of Mandrake. When matured, a potion will be made which will revive Mrs. Norris. And in the meantime," he directed his words to the young students and his niece, "I strongly recommend caution; to all." He turned to his niece, "Dahlia, escort me to my office?"
"Yes, Uncle," she took his arm and walked with him towards the headmaster's office.
"Are you all right my dear?"
"Hmm," she said as she was pulled out of her thoughts, "I'm confused, Albus. Enemies of the Heir," she pondered softly, "that can't possibly mean Slytherin's Heir?"
"At this point Dahlia we do not know what any of this means," he pulled her to a stop, "however my dear niece, that was not was I was referring to."
The lilac haired girl turned to him confused, "What were you referring to?"
"Your relationship with Gilderoy, it looked more strained than normal."
"Oh," she said almost ashamed looking away from his knowing eyes that it had become this perplexing.
Albus kissed her forehead lightly, "I will not pry, however my dear if you continue to be uncomfortable, I can move your assignment." He lifted her face to his meeting her eyes over his half moon spectacles, "Know child that I want you here and that will not change. Goodnight Dahlia."
The girl embraced her uncle, "Goodnight Albus."