A/N: Well, we actually get to see a bit more HP characters in this chapter! Review and lemme know what you think about this chapter. It was a little tough to write, but worth it. Wow, we're already at Chapter 13!

The next day, everyone left for the holiday. I spotted Harry and remembered what we had overheard. Then, I remembered how I went gaga for Snape. I wanted to slap myself.

"Draco's plotting something. I know it. Something to do with Voldemort." Harry explained to the Weasleys, Lupin, and Tonks. "He's been given a task or mission-and Snape was offering help."

"Voldemort has chosen Draco Malfoy for a mission?" Lupin asked.

I nodded. "We know it might sound mad-"

"Has it occurred to you two that Snape was simply pretending to offer Draco help so that he could find out what he's up to?" Lupin asked.

I couldn't help but feel relief from that statement. I felt like I was betraying Snape by judging him again by his dark form. But, the conversation with Malfoy seemed very convincing.

Tonks spoke up. "Perhaps they're right, Remus. To make an Unbreakable Vow after all-"

"It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore's judgement." Lupin said. "He trusts Snape. Therefore, I do."

I nodded. "Then, so do I."

Harry swallowed. "But Dumbledore can make mistakes. He's said it himself-"

"You're blinded by hatred." Lupin interrupted.

"I'm not-"

"You are! People are disappearing, Harry. Daily. We can only put our trust in a handful of people. if we start fighting amongst ourselves, we're doomed."

Harry glanced at Tonks who nodded for him to drop the conversation. I headed upstairs to get some rest with nothing but Severus in my mind.

I sat in a chair as Ginny was getting ready for bed. She turned off her lamp and wished me a good night. I left the room and went outside to get some fresh air. The sky was dark but a few clouds were still visible. There was a small breeze and I hugged myself to keep warm.

Suddenly, someone placed a coat on my shoulders. I gasped from the shock and turned to see Remus Lupin. He gave me a warm smile.

"Bit cold to be outside." he pointed out.

"Perhaps, but I was getting a bit anxious for some air." I confessed.

He stood beside me and gazed up at the sky.

"Do you remember when we were younger? How we used to stand out here and just look up at the clouds?"

"Yes. It was rather boring, actually."

He laughed. "Forgive me. It helped me to relax and take my mind off of my...condition."

I swallowed. "I'm sorry. I should've known."

He shook his head. "It's alright."

I glanced up at the sky, noticing the full moon.

"Remus, the moon. Aren't you supposed to-"

"I've taken my potion. No need to be so paranoid."

I gave him a look. "I have good reason to be."

"I had no control over what I was doing, Arabella. You know that."

"But, I had warned you to take your potion yet you continued flirting."

"I was young, Arabella. I've learned to be responsible since then."

"You didn't take your potion that night when Harry and his friends helped you discover Pettigrew."

He hesitated. "It was a mere accident. I had forgotten-"

"Your brilliant memory nearly got them killed, including Severus."

He grimaced. "Snape, you mean?"

I swallowed. "Y-Yes. Snape."

He started to smile. "Well, that explains why you were insistent on accompanying Harry during the break. You and Snape are close, aren't you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"He only allows certain people to call him by his first name. People he respects."

I blinked. "W-Well, I happen to be his apprentice, so there has to be respect in...in that sort of relationship. I mean, it's not a relationship in that sort of-"

Remus laughed. "Alright, I understand, Arabella. No need to explain. I understand the situation perfectly."

I couldn't help but share a smile with him.

"Should we head in?" he asked.

Before I could answer, Death Eaters surrounded the house. They lit part of the land on fire and surrounded the house with it. Remus pulled my away from the house.

"Get back! Hurry!" he yelled.

"The others!" I yelled back.

Harry rushed out and into the fields. Ginny followed after him. Tonks came out and tried to help us put the fire out.

"Someone has to do something!" I yelled, running into the field.

"Arabella, stop!" Remus yelled.

I rushed into the field but ran into a large Death Eater. His teeth were sharp and he had a crooked smile on his face.

"Well, hello, love." he sneered.

I held out my wand, trying not to look scared.

"Stupify!" I yelled.

He easily dodged the spell and vanished. I spotted Ginny and ran towards her. Harry joined us and we kept our wands aimed. Mr. Weasley caught up and we all jumped when we heard the house explode into flames.

"Molly!" he cried.

We all ran back and were relieved to find that everyone had managed to escape the flames. The fire was put out, but it didn't save the house. Mrs. Weasley sobbed in her husband's arms. Remus held Tonks and we all stood in silence, a bit relieved that the children were alright.


The holiday went by quickly. I looked outside my window and noticed storm clouds appearing. The clouds were dark and they had taken over the sky. The students hurried to their dorms before it would rain, and I hurried to my classroom.

When I entered the room, Snape was there to greet me. I let out a sharp gasp and shut my eyes.

"Bloody hell!" I gasped. "A warning would be very much appreciated."

I walked past him and he closed the door. I grabbed my sketchbook from inside my drawer and felt Snape's stare.

"What did you hear?" he asked.

I glanced up at him. "Excuse me?"

"What did you hear? That night before the break?"

He looked at me with anger and frustration. I wasn't sure how to respond without fueling his anger.

"I heard nothing." I lied.

He responded by walking towards me. I pretended to be confused, clutching my sketchbook tightly.

"You know, something else you don't know me about me is that I can tell when someone is lying to me." he said.

I gave him a look. "Must come handy."

He frowned. "I know that you were there that night."

I said nothing.

"And, I'll wager that you weren't alone." he said, eyeing me suspiciously.

I swallowed. "I was there."

"I see." he said, slowly.

"I was alone. Everyone was down at the party."

He eyed me again, but appeared to believe me. "So, you know everything."

"I only know that you're not what some believe you to be. You're not on their side."

He looked away, but I kept looking at him.

"So, you trust me?" he asked, daring himself to look at me.

"Probably more than most, but yes. I trust you. Dumbledore trusts you and-"

"I don't care if others trust me. Never base your trust off of someone else. Do you, alone, trust me?" he asked.

His face filled with sincerity. Did I really trust him? I bit my lip and looked up at him.

"Yes."

He nodded and exited the room. I stood alone in the classroom, wondering if I had just set myself up. Did I merely say that out of sympathy or sincerity?

A/N: Remus Lupin is my favorite Harry Potter character, after Snape of course. Thought I'd give him a small bit of past with Arabella. How it went is up to you. I wanted Arabella to have had a small crush on Lupin. He liked her too, but it won't come back to haunt her when it comes to Severus...or will it? :0