**Disclaimer** I do not claim to own anything that's not mine (J.K. Rowling wrote these amazing things before I could even dream of them). I do claim my main character, Dee.

"No. You cannot help Harry with this. I'm sorry my Dear." Professor Dumbledore said sternly, while eyeing my new hair do. "Though I would appreciate your help during the round." He continued with a small smile.

"Sure. What can I do to help?" I asked brightly. Something gloomy in me stirred, scowling at my cheery attitude. Of course, let me help again, always helping and never a thanks... I shook my head mentally, trying to shake away my grumpy thoughts.

"Well, I would like to have someone in the Lake to keep an eye on things. I don't fully trust the creatures within the Black Lake and I'd prefer to have a reliable set of eyes. I know how well you love the water, so I figured you may even enjoy this." He finished with a wink. I knew full well how unreliable the creatures of the Black Lake were.

...I was twelve when I snuck away on my own for the first time. It was a beautiful Spring day and I wanted to see how nice the waters of the Black Lake would be for swimming. I ran the whole way there, afraid Dumbledore would catch me and make me come back inside to study. My blond hair was long and wild, streaming behind me as I ran. I stripped down to my underwear and dove in, head first. The chilly water didn't slow me at all.
I was having a blast. I swam as deep as I could and would frantically race back to the top for more air. I would burst through the surface of the water, gulping in air before letting out my happy peals of laughter. Everything had been great until my foot snagged in some kind of weed at the bottom. I tried to kick and yank, to pull away from the weeds, but the weeds only tightened their grip on me. My thrashing around didn't help my breath any and it was quickly running out. That's when I noticed creatures swimming within the dark waters around me. They watched, their dark creepy eyes not even blinking. I motioned with my hands and begged with my eyes for them to help me. My efforts were wasted, none helped me. I relaxed my body, allowing myself to sink down to the bottom again. Calming my mind, I tried to focus on my magic. I was going to try to use it without my wand. Children did this all the time before they were old enough to enter school and buy a wand. I imagined the water around my foot and the weed freezing. To my utter amazement, it froze! I let go of the magic and it melted away again. The expanding of the water from freezing, though, had pushed the weed apart and allowed my foot enough room to wiggle out, released. I kicked like a demon for the surface...

"Sure. I do love to swim, even though it's not exactly going to be warm. I'm sure I can figure out something to help with that though." I replied with a smile. Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "So, um, What do you think of my new hair style?" I asked nervously. He looked at me, studying my hair. His fingers absently played with his beard.

"It is quite different. What sparked this change?" I shrugged. "Well, you certainly do look different. Not so much like your..." He trailed off and a sad frown formed on his face.

"Like my mum?" I finished for him. He smiled sadly and nodded. A sad weight settled in my gut. He hates it, cuz I don't look like my mum anymore. I gave a fake smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Um, I should get going. The twins are probably up to no good or Harry has stumbled into a pit of slythering snakes..." I said with a smile. Dumbledore chuckled softly.

"Just another day at Hogwarts. Weasley's pulling pranks and Potter's getting into sticky situations." He joked. My heart warmed at his humor. "Come here my Dear. A hug before you go?" He requested with a smile. I couldn't refuse. The hugs were all too few lately with him being so busy, as well as myself. We embraced for a few moments before he pulled back to look down at me. "You are really growing up to be a beautiful woman my Dear. Forgive me for the way I assessed you hair. I can still see your mother in you, even if the hair isn't there. You have her caring heart and dazzling smile. Don't ever forget to smile, my Dear." He said. Tears formed in my twinkling blue eyes and I smiled. His matching, twinkling blue eyes met mine and we embraced once more.

"I love you Da." I said, muffled in his shoulder.

"I love you too Deirdra."

We released and I turned, leaving. I made it all the way down the stairs before I remembered that I didn't tell him about the cut hair turning grey or my reflection being seen in mirrors by people while I was invisible. I ran back up to his office. His office door was still open but when I looked in, he seemed busy, so I decided not to bother him with it right now.

At the bottom of the stairs again, my stomach growled. When was the last time I ate anyways? I decided to head to the kitchens first before hunting down those Weasley twins. All their new "wares" they'd been testing out this year were causing quite a fuss. Some one had to keep an extra eye on them...

***Hope you guys enjoy this. I just wrote it today in between trying to work and do other errands. I know it's a little short but that's because I thought that was the proper spot to cut off for this chapter. I actually have more written that I'll have to type up. Probably tomorrow before I go to work. Anyways, please READ & REVIEW! Thanks! =)