When I arrived, it was still too early for me to go into Hogwarts. It'd be quite confusing to be going in at this early hour. I wasn't tired at all. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't go to bed until the next night. It just didn't seem right for me to go to sleep. I needed to stay focus on what I needed to do. If I went to sleep I might forget it all. I'd have to say that running away was much easier then I thought it would be. I thought that I wouldn't have made it out the door. Thanks to everyone's heavy sleeping I made it.

Since it was too early for me to talk to the headmistress, none the less anyone, I decided to walk around the grounds. I had to think about how I was going to do this. My father and his friends will always be around the lake, but they had to take breaks sometimes during the day. And those breaks were when the students had there free time. They couldn't let kids see what they were doing. Not even the teachers. I decided that during the breaks I would look around the lake to see if I could find anything that the others might have missed. I was definitely going to be the one to find it. I had to.

The time was flying. It must have been around five in the morning since the sun started to come out. I practiced what I was going to say to the headmistress. I was an okay liar. I had to make it look believable. I was a bit too busy to realize that my suitcase was still in the spell, so I said Liberacorpus and it fell to the ground. Luckily it didn't open. I dragged it with me everywhere I went. I was getting tired of walking around now so I sat down for the remaining of the time. The sun was fully out and I could see teachers walking in the building so it was time for me to proceed with my mission.

Students were actually awake at this time even though they had about an hour before they need to wake up. I got some weird stares here and there, but I put it off. I didn't care what they thought. They were just some students.

I walked up the stairs to where I'd find the headmistress's office. I knocked once and the door flew open. Professor Mcgonagall was sitting in her desk. She seemed a bit surprised to see me.

"Miss Greengrass. What a surprise to see you here. It's very nice to see you again."

"A pleasure to see you again as well, Professor."

"May I ask what are you doing here of all places? I thought you were being protected from the Carrows."

"I was. I mean I am. But I convinced my father to still let me work. I mean I've been out of the house with little protection and they still haven't gotten at me yet. I don't know why they'd wait though. Anyways, what I'm doing here is I've been working a couple of days at different jobs to see what I want to do with my life. And well it's the Ministry's turn. My father wants me to run a group that

evaluates everyone here at Hogwarts, and I thought I'd give it a go. I'm here to

evaluate teachers and students."

"Excellent. How long will you be staying?"

"Well the usual amount of days. Two weeks."

"Alright then. I'll get your room ready and everything."

"Thank you, Professor."

"I'll make an announcement during breakfast to tell everyone you're here."

"Sounds great."

"Well I suppose you want to put all the stuff down. Your room is ready. You know

where all the extra chambers are right?"

I nodded. "The one's near the moving stairs?"

"Yes those. Yours is the third one on the left. It's the only one that is straight ahead of one of the staircases."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome dear."

I walked out of her office and straight to my chamber. My plan was working out smoothly.

For the past week I have doing what I was supposedly doing. Standing in a classroom and writing down notes and evaluating the students and teachers. But really I was just scribbling in a sheet of paper. When it was the students free time I went out to the lake and walked around it to see if there were any clues. I didn't think it would take this long to look over the entire lake. I only had a week left and nothing was coming up. So I gave up and started to think. What if that wasn't the lake that she got killed. Maybe that wasn't where her bracelet came off. I thought that over and over. And then It hit me. I have been just focusing my time on a lake that has been searched over and over again. That's not the only lake near Hogwarts. So I decided that I'd check the one closest to it out of them all. The Black Lake was the one I would look at next. It was a brilliant idea. I just hope that it won't take as long.

The next day during the free time I went out to the Black Lake. It seemed eerie like it always did. I stood out in the peer for a couple of minutes to get used to the feeling. I'd be out here for a while. I started to walk around the perimeter of the lake. I kept getting this odd feeling telling me to look at an odd placed rock around the lake. Finally I let me feeling take me there. I just stood there for a second thinking this was a waste of my time. But then I had the sudden urge to touch the rock. So I reached out and placed my hand on it. And then it hit me. I was having a vision.

It was at night and there were spells being cast everywhere. Then I saw her. Ramiel. She was defending herself. Sending spells here and there. But then she was hit from behind by a killing curse. She fell forward and her bracelet flew off her wrist. It landed in the water. Sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness of the lake. Until you could see it no more. When I came out of the vision I fell backward and landed on my arse. I turned around and stared at the lake once more. I knew where it was. A smile came upon my face. I couldn't believe that I found where it was.

I couldn't get it though. I want someone to watch me to make sure that I got out alive. But I had no one with me. No one here knew the truth of what I was doing here. I'd have to leave the bracelet in the deep dark depth of the water for now. But I will get it eventually. I am the only one that can touch it. I was the only hope to solving the mystery. And I will solve it.

I got up and rubbed all the dirt off my clothing. I started to head back. I felt accomplished and good of what I did. Everyone will be so proud when I return home. But I won't go home just yet. I still had a couple of days left of my "evaluating". I just couldn't leave all of a sudden. That'd look too suspicious. I just had to stay calm and together until the week was over.

As I walked along the path I heard a noise coming from behind me. I looked and my eyes grew wide with surprise. There were carriages behind me. Not just regular carriages, but carriages from the Ministry. It wasn't the one that my father takes. It was the carriage that the group that I'm "working for" used. I had completely forgotten that it was the time that they actually evaluate. I got nervous so I ran as fast as I could back. I hoped that they didn't see me. I ran toward the main entrance that they will be dropped off. I knew that Draco and Theo would be in the carriage. They wouldn't be if I stayed at home, but I left. I felt so stupid. I didn't think it all the way through.

I got to the main entrance safely and I hid behind one of the pillars. Students gathered to see who it was. As if they weren't used to them coming once a year. I looked from behind the pillar with nervous eyes. The first two that came out, I had no idea who they were. Then when Theo came out I couldn't move. When Draco came out, I couldn't breathe. I was stuck there in that state for a bit.

They were greeted by the headmaster and the headmistress. They seemed delighted to see their old students again, after so many years. I still couldn't breathe or move as they started walking towards me. I forced myself to pull my hood up and run away. I knew it looked terribly suspicious but I had no choice. I couldn't stop myself. I kept running and running until I reached my chamber. As I entered I could barely breathe. I hadn't run like that in forever. But these days I've been running away a lot.

Sitting on the window sill looking at the darkening sky. I had been in my chamber for a couple of hours. I knew that when dinner came I would have to go. It'd seems odd if I didn't show up all of a sudden. Even more odd if I said I got sick when many people saw me just fine. Though I did feel a little sick to my stomach as the time passed on. Before I knew it, it was dinner time and I had to go. I got dressed in my professional clothing and tied my hair. Then I headed out the door.

It felt awkward being there earlier then others but I needed to find a seat as far away from Theo and Draco as possible. So I decided to sit next to Neville Longbottom. He was here to be a teachers assistant and was doing quite well.

All the students began to pour in. they all sat at their house tables but they weren't wearing there robes. Professor Mcgonagall made the announcement that there was no need to change back. When she saw me sitting at the table, she tapped me on my shoulder and asked me something with a very curious look on her face.

"Why didn't you show up along with the others?"

"Well I thought that since I'm new at it I could try and get used to it by showing up a week early."

"Oh. I see. You always were an over achiever."

She patted me on the shoulder, smiled, and took the seat right next to me.

The head master stood at the podium and waited for everyone to settle down. When everyone did he started to speak.

"Today we are honored to be in the presence of the Ministry. Every year this group visits to evaluate you, as well as the teachers here at Hogwarts. This group comes here every year, so like every time they visit, show them your best qualities. Now, I shall introduce you to the people that came all this way from the Ministry to do their job." He gestured to the door to the right of him and out they walked. He started to call of names. The first two I still did not know or care who they were. I just waited for Malfoy and Nott to come out and find me here of all places.

"Amelia Crane, Veronique Carol, Harry Potter, Theodore Nott, and Draco Malfoy." When the last two walked out, they spotted me immediately and looked at each other. Then there eyes widened in surprise. Neville made a scoffing noise when Draco walked past. And he started to talk to me.

"I'm surprised they let him actually have a job at the Ministry after what he did."

"Yeah. He did some unforgivable things."

"He seemed shocked to see you here. So did Nott. Do they know you."

I just looked down and said "Yeah."

When Neville saw my expression he knew to stop talking about it. I blanked out of the rest of what the headmaster said. I could feel both of their eyes staring at me. But I dared not to look at them. No matter what.

During dinner I barely ate. I couldn't with their eyes staring at me the whole time. I had a feeling that I just needed to tell someone and get out of this room. I untied my hair to relieve the pressure on my head and to hide my face from Malfoy and Nott. I needed to leave. I was thinking that I should check the library for a book on Ramiel. But I couldn't just leave by myself. Nott and Malfoy might follow and capture me. But when the feeling of needing to tell someone overwhelmed me I turned to Neville.

"Neville? You can keep a secret right?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"I need to tell someone about something."

"Alright. What's going on Astoria?"

I brought my voice down to a whisper. "Well, I'm not really here for what everyone thinks. Have you read the Daily Prophet? The one about me."

He nodded.

"My family is searching for this bracelet. And I've been protected for the last month from the Carrows until we find it. I couldn't stand to be watched all the time so I ran away from home and came here. Supposedly my ancestor Ramiel Reiann died somewhere around Hogwarts and her bracelet was here. So I ran away from home hoping I could find it, and I did. But I was going to return home when I said I would. That's why I'm here. Not for what everyone thinks."

"So you never were evaluating anyone."

"No. I was just scribbling on a piece of parchment. Oh and another thing. Nott

and Malfoy acted that way when they saw me because they're my protectors."

"They are?"

"Yes. I know it sounds odd, but my father trusts them because our families are friends."

"I see."

"Yeah. Promise me you won't tell anyone. I'm only here for a couple of days and then I leave."

"I promise."

"Oh and one last thing, I swear. After you're done with your dinner come with me to the library and help me find a book in the restricted section."

"Okay, but what do you need to find there?"

"I want to see if they have any books on Ramiel. If they do, it might help me

figure out some things."

"Ah."

"Yeah. Are you finished now?"

"Yes. Let's go."

"Okay."

I turned to Professor Mcgonagall to tell her where I was going.

"Professor. I'm going to go into the library and pick out a book. I finished the one that I brought here and I can't possibly read it again. Neville is accompanying me. He's recommending some books here that I might be interested in."

"Alright. That sounds good."

"Good-night."

We headed for the door and headed up the stairs for the library. The doors weren't locked because it was still a bit early. I opened the door and walked towards the restricted section.

"Alright, Neville, start searching."

"Okay."

I walked through all the isles looking for any book that might contain something about Ramiel. I found nothing at the top but Neville happened to find at least one book about her. He handed it to me.

"Thanks Neville. You can go back now if you want. I'm just going to stay here and read it."

"Sure. No problem. Good luck." He left the library.

I started to read the book, and unlike the other one it didn't confuse me. It was quite interesting actually. It talked about her childhood and what she went through. There was another picture of her. A drawn one of course. It was like looking in the mirror. It was amazing at how much I resembled her.

I heard a slight crack coming from the door. I called out, "Hello?" but I felt foolish. Who would find me here. Only Neville and Professor Mcgonagall knew. So continued to read. But then I heard footsteps coming in my direction and I started to worry. It couldn't have been Neville, he didn't forget anything here. And it couldn't be the Professor. She didn't need me for anything. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my wand just in case. The footsteps kept getting closer and closer. Finally I closed the book and stood up, waiting for whoever was there to show themselves.

I wasn't expecting this to happen. But when the person walked out and into the dim light, I froze. I was Malfoy. I thought that maybe he'd bring Nott, but he was no where. "What do you want? What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Leave."

"Sorry, but I can't do that. You see I'm only here to bring you back home now."

"Yeah. Well I'm not going back."

"Yes. You are."

"No, I'm not."

"Fine, then. I guess I'll just have to force you."

"You can't force me unless you catch me."

I turned around and ran as fast as I could. I knocked over books as I past. He was right behind me. I pushed the door open and ran down the hallway. Thank goodness there were no students or teachers around. He started throwing spells at me but I dodged them as best I could. As I turned a corner I slid on my shoes and ran into the wall. Another stunning spell came my way straight towards my head but I ducked as I regained my balance and started to run again. I haven't ran this fast in a long time. I hardly believed that I was actually running that fast. I was losing my breath but I knew I couldn't stop or he'd get me.

My arm started to hurt from running into the wall. But I just let it go. Running back to my chamber was the only place I'll be safe. Damn, this place had to be so big! I thought. An idea came into my mind. I took my wand and tapped it on the top of my head and said Geminio. There were two of me running now. I pushed my clone into a broom closet and entered the one right across from it. I knew Malfoy knew which one I was in so I did a spell that made me switch places with the clone. I ended up in the other closet. I heard the other door open and him saying I've got you!

I opened my closet door and pointed my wand to the other door shutting it as my clone disappeared. I started to run again as the door started to open.

I was so close to my chamber. All I had to do was climb up the moving staircases. Malfoy was right behind me again. I started to run up the stairs. I was almost to the end when the staircase moved. The force pushed me into the railing almost making me drop the book. But I didn't I jumped off the stairs and landed on the landing. Finally I made it to my room. Opening the door gave me a sign of relief. I ran inside and locked the door putting a protective charm on the room. I could breathe again. As I put the book down, I lost my breath when I heard a pop outside.

When I turned around he was right there. I gasped and ran for the door, but he was too quick and slammed the door shut right as I opened it. Then he slammed me against the wall, grabbing onto my wrists.

"Who do you think you are doing a stunt like that?"

"What?"

"You know bloody hell what. You ran away from home when you were a target. How stupid can you be? When your parents found that note they came running down. Your mother was crying like crazy."

"Well it's nice to know that they actually care."

"Shut up." Malfoy spat. "They're your parents of course they care."

"Yeah, well, it's kind of hard to tell when they lock you up and don't give a damn of what you think or say."

"Listen, you are going back there. And you are going to tell them everything."

"There's nothing to tell Malfoy! All I did was run away to Hogwarts. That's all."

"That's not all. You're going to tell them why you did it."

"Oh. Why. Well as if it weren't obvious!" I started yelling without realizing it. "I have been stuck under house arrest for a month. They never listen to what I have to say. They didn't care what I had to say. All I wanted was to help. I didn't want to be protected as if I didn't know how to protect myself. They're looking for the bracelet as if it's more important then listening to what I have to say. Yeah, they're my parents. They care they love me. But not enough to listen. Stubborn. That's what they are. Stubborn!"

"You don't know what they went through when they left. You're father had a search for you. He stopped looking for the bracelet. He stopped everything that he did because he was worried about you. And you're mother. Don't even get me started. She cries every night and we can hear her all the way down in the main room."

"Look, Malfoy what do you care. Now that I'm gone you can just do whatever you want. You don't have to watch me anymore. You don't have worry about anyone else except yourself."

"What do I have to do, to get you to go home?"

"Hmmm… let me think." I stood there thinking for a moment and came up with,

"Reasons."

"What?"

"Give me at least one reason for me to go home now, instead of when I told Professor Mcgonagall, which will be a couple of days, that I can't retaliate against."

He stood there still holding onto my wrists pushing me against the wall.

"Your parents. If you go back your parents will let you do what you want and they won't have you watched all the time."

"Unlikely. They just say that to get me to go home. They'll still have me watched."

"You're right. Daphne. She's your sister and she misses you."

"She may miss me but she has her friends sleeping at the house. She can't be that lonely."

He said many reasons after reasons, but I could always find something to go against it. After a while he let go of me but made sure I was no where near the door. And after the last five reasons he seemed like he was about to give up. But then he looked at me like he never did before.

He said, "How's this for a reason?" Before I could say anything he pressed his lips to mine. At first I was surprised but then my eyes began to droop closed and I saw lights. My heart began to beat faster. It seemed all to soon he ended it.

"My last reason is that you should come back for me. I actually do care about you, Astoria. I want you to be safe. I've had that feeling since the beginning. Come back, please."

"I-I uh…" after a while of thinking I couldn't possibly come up with a reason. So I just looked up at him, stared him in the eyes and said, "You got me."

He smirked with glory. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Okay," I started. "I'll go back tomorrow. I'll tell the headmistress that my father wanted me to go back and that since you were here they was no need of my presence."

"Actually when we arrived here I told her everything already."

"You did? But how did you know I was here?"

"I saw you running."

"Right."

"No one runs as fast as you do, Astoria." I had to admit it was nice for him to say my first name after months of him not calling me anything. "So why exactly did you come here?" He asked.

"I wanted to see if I could find the bracelet myself."

"And…"

"I know where it is." His eyes lit up as I told him that.

"Where?"

"I'll explain when I go home tomorrow. It'll be easier telling everyone at the same time."

"Good idea."

"So, did you mean that kiss and everything you said about caring about me?"

"Yeah. I've felt that way for a long time. I just didn't want to admit it with Pansy around."

"Ah. I see."

I just couldn't help but smile. And he smiled back at me.

"Well I guess I should pack my things. We'll leave first thing in the morning."

"Sounds good to me. Well, I guess you should go to bed. Tired from all that running. Good night."

He kissed me on the cheek and headed out the door. It felt as if everything will change between him and I from now on. But I couldn't think about that now. Tomorrow I will be headed home.