I was well taken care of when I arrived at Mrs. Weasley's home. She and her husband took me in after their first son, Charlie (I think), was born. We were around the same age, but he was rather shy and more of a reader than a talker. He enjoyed reading about dragons and planned to go to Romania when he was older.

He was accepted into Hogwarts when he was ten and was sent off, even though his family was struggling with money. I didn't get a letter and I was curious as to why.

"Perhaps the administration thought you were killed along with you parents. I didn't contact them, thinking they knew you were alive. But, don't worry, dear. Next year, you'll attend." she said, warmly.

If only it were true. After her twin boys were born, the Weasley family struggled even more with money. They couldn't afford to have me live there, and they didn't have to take me in. I ran away from their house, not wanting them to waste their resources on me.

I lived in the city of London the rest of my life. My mother's words never left my mind. I knew it deep down too. I was different.

Growing up alone was difficult. I was eventually found when I was about 11, and was put into an orphanage. No one wanted me because I was so quiet and "strange". I always spent my time reading, singing, and playing instruments. Except, I did all those things in secret because I used magic to help me.

When I turned 18, I was sent out of the orphanage and lived in a small house. It was a modest place, but nothing perfect. I would take walks through the city and would often pass by schools. The children playing and laughing would put a smile on my face. I was happy that they had bright futures ahead of them. A strange feeling sparked inside of me.

Every day, I would see the children and I felt like I wanted to a way to help them brighten their futures. I wanted to be a teacher, but not for muggles. For other young witches and wizards without any hope or goals. I wanted to be among my own kind, but I didn't know how to find them. One day, and owl appeared at my door with a message.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL FOR WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY:

ACCEPTING NEW TEACHERS AND STAFF…MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO APPLY!

My heart jumped as I read the flyer. I followed the instructions and set out to work at Hogwarts as a teacher. I studied and studied until I turned 23. The program required that I become an assistant teacher at a wizard school, but I couldn't decide where to go.

My decision became obvious when Dumbledore contacted me. He insisted that I assist at Hogwarts for a few years and that he would eventually give me a job there.

Clever man, he was. He got me the job and I was put to assist with Professor Snape. Then, to both our surprise, he placed me as Snape's apprentice. Now, with the dark lord back, many things will change.

I didn't have many nightmares over the summer, but I still contacted Snape. To my surprise, he responded.

TEA USUALLY HELPS ONE SLEEP BETTER.

I journeyed to Hogwarts on Dumbledore's orders. The other teachers and staff were ordered there too. So much was going to change now that the dark lord was back. I could only imagine how Harry and his friends were taking everything.

"I've called you all here because there have been many rumors going around concerning Harry and I." Dumbledore said, quietly.

Snape sat at my right, analyzing Dumbledore's words, as usual.

"The ministry is under the impression that I am seeking to take the minister's position." he said.

I couldn't believe it. "How could he think that? No one in their right mind-"

"I believe that's the point, Arabella." Snape spoke up.

He'd never called me that before. Professor McGonagall also noticed and gave me a small smile.

"The ministry and post aren't in their right minds. They're being blinded by fear." he continued.

Dumbledore nodded. "Fear can make people do terrible things. But, I assure you the rumors are not true. However, the ministry thinks Harry is lying about the dark lord returning."

"Why would Harry lie about such a thing?" I asked.

"He wouldn't. Fear." Dumbledore replied. "The ministry thinks Harry and I are trying to start some sort of uprising."

I shook my head, disgusted.

"Because of this, the ministry is sending one of his secretaries to the school as a new teacher."

"To teach what?" I asked.

"The only position open. Defense Against the Dark Arts." Dumbledore replied.

He continued. "We need someone to keep an eye on her. Someone who can let us know what she's teaching the students, for I doubt she's going to teach them anything useful."

"How could we possibly keep an eye on her? She'd suspect and tell the ministry." McGonagall said.

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. Then, he looked at me.

"Oh, you've got to be joking." I said, shaking my head.

"You hardly have any records, Arabella." he explained. "I'll put you as her apprentice, acting as her admirer. You're young, so it might work. She'll think you'll be wanting to follow in her footsteps."

"She'll have to be doing a lot of thinking, headmaster." I said, raising an eyebrow. "And, assuming this works-"

"She will grow to trust you." Snape said.

"It's our only option right now, Arabella." Dumbledore added.

I closed my eyes and inhaled. Then, I nodded.

"Very good. Severus, you'll also be required to let Umbridge use you. No doubt, she'll be requiring your talents and knowledge to get her way."

Snape gave a slight nod. "Very well."

"And, you'll look after Arabella. I hear you've been having nightmares again." Dumbledore said, glancing at me.

I shifted in my seat. "Yes, sir. The tea has actually been helping."

"Good, you'll need all your wits, especially now." Dumbledore nodded.


Dolores Umbridge was not hard to spot. She wore a long pink coat and heels. Her hair was short and curled. On her head, she wore a pink knit hat.

Everyone settled into the assembly room, ready for the new year to begin. Dumbledore began with his announcements. Before he could finish, Umbridge interrupted.

She claimed that the ministry was going to help perfect Hogwarts. I thought it was a load of waffle. Obviously, she's warning everyone that the ministry is going to bring a load of Hell to Hogwarts.

And, she did. She was put as high inquisitor of Hogwarts, making sure everyone followed the rules. Being her apprentice was a nightmare, and that's saying something. She was annoying and bossy.

We dropped by every teacher's classroom, making sure they were teaching correctly. By whose standards, I know not.

"Now, chin up, dear." she said, as we entered Snape classroom. "I've heard this man can be quite difficult."

If you only knew, Pinky.

"You first applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, correct?" she asked Snape, circling him.

He stood with his usual frown, looking straight ahead.

"Yes." he replied, slowly.

"And, you were...unsuccessful?" she asked, with fake sympathy.

Snape's mouth twitched. "Obviously."

Ron Weasley was holding a laugh, and so was I. Umbridge wrote a few thing down and left the room. I managed to giggle as Snape whacked Ron in the head with a book.

Many students crowded outside and I knew why. Umbridge had given Professor Trelawney the sack, and had her trunks piled up outside.

"Sixteen years I've taught here. Hogwarts is my home." she said, holding back tears. "You can't do this."

"Actually, I can." Umbridge said, holding up a slip of paper.

Thankfully, Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore came and stopped the nonsense. I watched Harry try to speak with Dumbledore, but failed to keep up with him.

"They think they can fight the ministry, but they can't." Umbridge muttered, angrily.

I nodded. "Foolish, isn't it?"

"You're dismissed for today. Run along." she said.

Umbridge and I hardly talked. I mostly followed her around and took notes because she made me. She was a cruel woman and very unreasonable. She had me grade everything nearly twice because she claimed I didn't do it correctly.

When I got a chance to be alone, I fell asleep in the library, trying to read about ways to get sleep. Ironic, isn't it?

"Saying your last goodbye?"

"Are you aware of what happened to the Potter family, Miss Arabella?"

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident."

"It was murder. Voldemort killed him."

"Everyone has a story…"

I woke because someone was shaking me.

"Arabella, look at me."

I shook my head and rubbed my eyes. They were wet with tears.

"Severus?" I asked.

Snape grabbed my chin and looked into my eyes. He scanned them and let me go.

"It's far serious than I expected." he muttered.

"Was I-"

He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room. I stumbled and tried to follow as best as I could.

"Where are you taking me? What happened?" I asked.

"Barty Crouch inserted some kind of pathway inside your mind. He is replaying memories into your head." Snape explained.

"You're young and have no way to defend yourself from dark magic, like the other professors and myself. He's using that to his advantage. Pray that Barty hasn't contacted the dark lord., who is also using a similar method on Potter."

"But, why would he use me?" I asked.

We entered the potions room and he sat me down in a chair. Snape seemed to be trying to figuring it out himself.

"You stood out to Crouch when we discovered he was impersonating Mad-Eye. He might've thought you were weak because of how.."

"How what?"

"How I asked you to leave the room. And, how I reacted to you being struck. He probably thought I asked you to leave because you were valuable...in some way."

"That's a rather risky theory."

Snape reached into a shelf and took out a different wand. He wiped it and looked at me.

"It's dangerous if the dark lord or any Death Eater has easy access to your mind." he said.

"Can he...read it?"

"No. You're not like Potter."

"Harry? He's been in Harry's mind?"

"He and the dark lord are beginning to have one of the same mind. I've been helping him defend his mind against the dark lord, as well. Thankfully, your case is not as bad, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous." Snape explained.

Thankfully…?

"In these lessons, I will get inside your head. You will attempt to fight it. Defend yourself."

I shifted in my seat at that. What would Snape find in my mind? What would he think of me if he saw something odd?

"Is there no one else who can do this?" I asked.

"If there were, they would be here. But, sadly, there is not anyone else. Besides my mind is accustomed to this kind of dark magic. Now, focus. Control your mind."

He waved his wand at me and I groaned in pain.

"I truly want to help him overcome his serious state."

"Severus is an introvert. He's not as open as you."

"Run, Ara!"

"You're not like your father and I."

"Mummy!"

I ran up to my father and he lifted me off the floor. I laughed aloud as he swung me around. Mum laughed too.

"It's not polite to stare.."

I glanced away quickly.

"He'll need your help during this time of mourning…"

"...your bright heart is what he needs."

"He's truly the greatest man I ever knew."

"He'll have to accept it one way or another."

I gave him a small smile. "I'll do that. Have a good summer."

I pulled out of the vision and I was back in the classroom. Out of breath, I looked up at Snape. He looked straight at me, with anger in his eyes.

I sat without knowing what to say. As if I couldn't speak. He approached me and leaned into my face. I had to lean back in my chair. His eyes were starting to look watery. He opened his mouth but no words came out.

"Get out." he said, quietly.

Oh no…

"Severus...I never-"

He grabbed my arm and dragged me to my feet. I felt myself tense.

"I said….get out."

Releasing my arm, he turned away. I felt my eyes water and I headed towards the door. Then, I took one final look at him.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

I hurried to my room, but bumped into someone.

"Headmaster…?"

"Come into my office, Arabella." he said, leading the way.

I obeyed and we walked through the castle together. We arrived at his office and he shut the door. I couldn't hold back tears anymore.

"Have a seat." he said, motioning towards a chair.

I sat. "He knows that I know."

"He knows that what?"

I buried my face in my hands. "That I know about Lily."

Dumbledore fell silent. "How could-"

The door to his office opened and Snape stormed inside. He didn't have his long cape, but he wore his simple buttoned suit that curved at his waist.

"You gave me your word!" he snapped, pointing at Dumbledore.

"Severus, if you let me-"

"No!" he snapped. "You've broken your word time and time again, and I'm sick of it!"

"Arabella had nothing to do with it." Dumbledore said, calmly.

Snape looked at me. "No? Then, how the bloody hell does she know?"

"She must've found her way to my memory cabinet-"

I stood up, with clenched fists. "No, headmaster. No more lies."

I swallowed and looked at Snape.

"You wanted to know why I was hired here…" I began.

"I know why you were hired." he scoffed.

"I swear that I never knew that it meant so much to you. I mean, I assumed it was, but perhaps it was-"

"Enough." he hissed. "Never speak to me again. Just stay away from me."

Those words stung. I simply took them and remained silent. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Severus, you're right to be angry." he said. "But, seeing as Arabella is in need of your help, at the present moment, you must continue assisting her."

I would've given anything to have spoken up at that moment. After seeing how angry Severus was, I would've rather dealt with my nightmares alone. It didn't take a great mind to see that Snape was thinking the same thing.

"She was eager to become a new teacher here, so she did whatever I asked her to in order to get the job. None of this is her fault." Dumbledore continued.

Snape's face was cold and bitter. He nodded and Dumbledore felt relieved. I wasn't sure what to feel. I was relieved that Snape agreed to help, but anxious because I'd still have to see him.

"You two may go. And, Severus?"

Snape looked up at him.

"I'll need you to return tomorrow and take another look at my hand."

Snape nodded briefly and took me by the wrist. We left the room and entered the hallway towards the potions room. Suddenly, he thrusted me against the wall and grabbed the collar of my shirt.

"No one...is to know. Do you understand?" he asked, coldly.

Struck with fear, I nodded.

He kept his grip on my shirt and lowered his eyes.

"I truly am sorry." I said, nearly whispering.

His eyes looked back up at mine.

"I never should've accepted. If I knew how much it affected you, I wouldn't have."

He let go of my shirt and turned away from me.

"Everyone has a story." I said, quietly. "Perhaps some should be left alone and not meddled with."

"We should return to the classroom."

I shook my head. "I'll respect your wishes."

He looked over his shoulder and met my eyes.

"It's okay." I said, with a small smile. "I'll do my best to fall asleep. You don't have to help me. Not until you're ready."

I turned and walked to my room. Tears began building up in my eyes and I let them fall.

Don't go...tell me that you need me because I need you so much..

A/N: Holy moly...another long chapter...anyways, enjoy and review!