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A week after that Potions lesson, life had deteriorated even more. Spark – as I'd named my dragon-lizard – had grown so much that it was almost impossible to carry him around without anyone noticing. As it was, Professor McGonagall had been eyeing my pocket suspiciously. Draco had been worse then ever, meeting me more often than not late at night in empty classrooms, and everything else seemed harder then general with the exhaustion catching up. I had no free time anymore – it had dissolved into homework, caring for Spark and trying to deal with Draco. At this particular moment in time, I was in the library, studying, or at least attempting to. I was staring at a page in a book, trying to focus through blurry eyes, trying to keep my tears from spilling over. Spark – having just eaten – was asleep in my lap, his warmth radiating through my cold body. Professor Snape rounded the corner; I shoved him into my pocket, waking him up rather abruptly. Professor Snape noticed me as I tried to hide my face by turning several pages of the book.

"Amy, come with me. Now." He commanded. I stood; leaving the book where it was, and trailing along after him, head down. He led me into a room and gestured for me to take a chair. Once again, he asked if I was okay. This time I told him. Not all of it though, just about Draco. I couldn't tell anyone about the Dark Lord. I told him how Draco and I were friends, how I wanted to be friends, but I believed his father had scolded him for it, and how he was angry and torn over this.

He listened in silence, and then told me to wait as he swept out of the room, which I believed to be his office. I didn't move, just sat there, staring into space. I felt so sorry for myself, and hated myself for it. About two weeks ago, I had begun to think about leaving Hogwarts. Leaving Draco Malfoy, and the hardships I faced here. Running away. If I was lucky, I would even be able to escape the Dark Lord as well, however I didn't think I'd be so lucky. Yet, I hadn't done it. I stayed for Harry, Ron and Hermione, and because I had to care for Spark. Although I did think to myself quite often that they could manage themselves. I couldn't just run away from my problems, as tempting as it would be.

Professor Snape re-entered the office, leading Draco, who stopped when he saw me sitting curled up on a chair staring into space. I didn't even twitch when they entered. Professor Snape led him into another room, and even though I wasn't trying to listen, I heard, just as I had with Mr Malfoy. The conversation was about the same too.

"A girl – disgraceful…" Professor Snape was saying. I heard Draco's reply. His explanation, and what he said made me listen.

"I was scared of what my father, and the Dark Lord would do to me. If they thought I cared about her. So I hid it. She's my friend, Professor." His voice cracked slightly, and I could picture his distraught face in my mind. "I want to be there for her, but I was forbidden to." He explained.

"What does the Dark Lord have to do with it?" Professor Snape asked. I held my breath. Surely Draco wouldn't tell…

He did. Draco told him. I went cold all over, my Mark a burning reminder of my captivity. What would Professor Snape do? Would he go to Professor Dumbledore?

"Leave now." He told Draco, after a moments' silence. Draco walked out, looking at me worriedly, before brushing past. Professor Snape followed him out, looking at me. He sat down on a chair pretty much opposite mine.

"Amy?" Professor Snape asked. I moved slightly, so he knew I was listening.

"Do you live with the Dark Lord?"

Very slowly, I nodded, not looking away from the space I was staring into. I didn't think I could move without my emotions exploding. I still noticed his eyes go to my left arm, covered by my sleeve, as it was all year long. I pulled my arm out of sight, hot tears threatening to spill. I glared, angry with myself, with Draco. Professor Snape moved closer, taking my arm, and rolling up my sleeve. I flinched away, but he saw the Mark.

"Is that part of what's wrong?" He asked softly.

I didn't know whether to trust him – surely my brother hated him, but Harry also hated Draco. I had to make my own judgement here. Professor Snape knew now, anyway, so I threw caution to the winds.

"A little bit." I whispered. My arm was burning, but for once, I ignored the warning. "I – I spent the holidays at the Malfoy Manor…" I shuddered as the memory of Mr Malfoys' cool expression, even as he pointed his wand at me.

I jerked myself back to the present, fresh tears spilling from my eyes as my mouth spilled my holidays, and then my life. At the end of my story, Professor Snape stood and swept from the room. He was going to get Professor Dumbledore – I knew it – and then I'd probably be expelled, and I'd have nowhere to go, except back to Him, and back to the Malfoys… I stifled a sob as I heard the door click back open. The Potions Master re-entered, without the Headmaster. He was carrying a steaming cup, which he passed to me.

"This will give you a good nights' sleep. I recommend it for tonight. I'll have some more brewed up tonight, should you require it."

I stood, taking the potion in my shaking hands, walking towards the door, trying to dry my eyes on my sleeve.

"Amy?" he called after me. I turned back, watching him. "Tell me if Draco does anything else."

"Thank you, sir." I said, before leaving his office.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting up for me, making their way through homework to pass the time. As I entered, they leapt to their feet and rushed over, bombarding me with questions.

"Where were you?"

"We were looking everywhere!"
"It wasn't Malfoy again, was it?"
"What's in the cup?"

I backed up against the portrait, trying not to press too hard against it, lest it open and I topple backwards. They picked up the hint and backed off. Moving forwards again, I began edging towards my dormitory.

"I wasn't with Draco, no, and it's a potion." I answered carefully.

"Where were you then?" Harry asked.

"And what potion is it?" Hermione followed, eyeing it warily.

"I was in Professor Snapes' office." I replied. "And I don't know what the potion is." Their concern was smothering, and the anger I'd felt before was bubbling back to the surface, shoving aside exhaustion.

Ron looked worried. "The potion is from Snape?" He asked. I nodded curtly, trying to step past Harry.

"Don't drink it! It could be poison!" He said. I shook my head.

"I doubt it." I said, entering my dormitory and making my way over to my bed. I drank it down before Hermione could follow, and slipped into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

Harrys POV

Ron and I waited anxiously as Hermione followed Amy into the dormitory, going to convince her out of drinking the steaming potion she had. When she came out, she was holding the empty goblet, and her face was grim.

"She drank it." She told us. Ron looked alarmed, and I imagine I did too.

"Is she still alive?" Ron asked in a panicked voice. "Snape would love to rid the world of a Potter, I bet."

"She is alive, Ronald." Hermione scolded. "He wouldn't poison a student. It'd be too obvious." She scoffed at his stupidity, picking her homework back up. She frowned as she looked in my direction. "I'd suggest you hang out with her more, if you want her to trust you. Malfoy won't bother her if we're there, either."

I nodded, feeling sick. I already knew that, but I could hardly find my elusive sister, let alone convince her of anything. I could only watch as she sunk deeper into her own spiralling mind.