Chapter 8

Abaraxas sat in his study, sipping whiskey and having a quite discussion with his old friend, Orion Black. The days for Orion had been stressful since his eldest son, Sirius had run away from the house. Walburga, Orion's wife had been pressuring him into submitting and becoming a death eater. So when the brat couldn't take it any longer he had run off and started living at the Potter's. Walburga had then turned her wrath on poor Regulus. This was all too much for Orion to take in and he had no idea how to help his son.

"He's just a boy Abaraxas. He's not ready to take the responsibility of becoming a death eater." Orion spoke in regards to Regulus. He was afraid that he was losing both his sons.

"I'm afraid I can't help you in this Orion. Sirius had always been too bold for his own good and Regulus quite the opposite. But knowing Walburga I can only imagine the turmoil Regulus must have been going through. It's good he's spending time away from home." Sighing in exasperation, Orion just nodded in thanks.

Abaraxas hated his best friend's defeated face and so he spoke the first thought that came to his mind.

"Orion, why don't you talk to our Lord about it?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Orion started choking on his whiskey.

"What in Merlin's name possessed you to give me a suggestion like that? The Dark Lord would kill me before I could even utter an apology."

"I know it seems like a silly idea but in recent months the Dark Lord had been somewhat different. I'm sure he would listen to you for this seems like a genuine problem."

"It doesn't seem silly but it seems suicidal. But you have a point, he's changed. I need some time to think about it first though."

"How is Lucius doing?" Orion asked changing the topic.

"He's doing well and from his letters I can say that the students at Hogwarts are exteremly happy with this year's DADA professor." Abaraxas told him all the details that he could find out about Professor Peverell and also what Lucius had told him. He way things were taking place at Hogwarts was very pleasing indeed. Orion had too heard about her from Regulus' letters but had not believed much. Finding from his friend though was a totally different thing.

"She's openly going against Dumbledore but she's not our side as well. Which side do you think she will choose in the war if offered?" Orion asked deep in thought. He understood the new Peverell was going to bring change- good or bad he couldn't comprehend for now.

"That my dear friend only time will tell." Abaraxas said.

Haradah woke up gasping for breath. Casting a tempus it was almost 3 am in the morning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead and taking deep breaths, she desperately tried to calm her frantically beating heart.

Now she lay wide awake in her bed. No matter how hard she tried, she won't be able to sleep again. The nightmares would always chase away the happy memories. In her nightmares she would always be alone, always fighting and fighting trying to protect the ones she loves dearly.

Sometimes Haradah doubted herself. She doubted how she could save others when she barely would protect herself. It was times like this when she wished someone would hug her, whisper 'everything is going to be okay' and 'I've got you' in her ears. It was times like this she wished to be held and loved and comforted.

Blinking away the tears blurring her vision, she sat up quickly when she felt the tendril of magic, his magic gently enveloping her; trying to comfort her. Haradah left out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She soaked in the warmth of his sweet magic, content on enjoying the moment. Never had she anticipated that Tom would return the gesture of comforting her. Maybe her task wouldn't be so difficult now.

To her immense displeasure Tom's magic faded away but Haradah stii felt the small gesture of warmth was the closet to safety she had ever felt. For a moment she wondered what it would feel like to bury her face in his chest and never leave his arms. She hoped for that day to come soon and before that she had make sure to earn his trust.

After minutes of anticipation when she realised that sleep was no longer an option, Haradah decided to take a stroll to the astronomy tower. It was one of her favourite places in Hogwarts, where she could see the enormous stretch of stars covering the blue sky. She could never tire of getting lost in the sparkling stars; they always calmed her soul. Sitting there she thought of what she learned at the bank the other day and decided to act upon it as soon as possible.

It was almost 5 in the morning when she decided to return to her dorm and get ready for a tiring day ahead. As she about to turn she heard hushed voices in the corridors of the dungeons. Listening carefully Haradah found it difficult to keep the smile off her face. There stood the marauders coming out of the Slytherin Common Room.

"Did everything go as planned?" peter asked. He was outside guarding the corridor from obnoxious Filch. The other three nodded their heads in agreement.

"Padfoot took care of the Boy's dormitory and Moony too care of the Girls'." James said. In their bickering they did not see Haradah standing there with a stern expression on her face; although inwardly she found the situation quite amusing. She cleared which caught her attention. The marauders froze, clearly not expecting anyone out at the ungodly hour.

"Professor, we...we." James stammered.

"We were just..." Peter too rambled and got smacked hard in the head by Sirius who said something along the lines 'you were supposed to guard an alert us Wormtail'. Remus looked at the ground as if wanted to be swallowed by it. Haradah cut off their rambling by waving a hand dismissively.

"Seeing that the curfew is over I can't deduct points from you all. But next time make sure to talk quietly and not get caught. Filch will not be that lenient." The four students looked at her retrieving form with their mouths hanging open.

"I hope to see the effects of your prank in the great hall. Off to your dormitories now."

They ran away laughing at their stupid luck and glint in their mischievous eye to what was going to happen in the great hall.