AN/- hey everyone-thought you might be interested in a bloody long! update-enjoy and review! please! also thanks to Jayc and Animechick-you guys are the my utmost favorite reviewers so this extra long chapter is all for you.

Also thanks to the people who alerted me and my story along with the ones who Favorited it-it would be way more awesome if I knew what you guys thought about it-so spare me a review. 3

Chapter 54

Audrey went up the staircase and just as she was going to wake Hermione and Ginny, she noticed Ron's door ajar. She walked over and peeped in, she only saw Ron snoring away in his tiny boxers and Chudley Cannons vest as his mouth was open while he snored loudly. Audrey giggled as she shut the door and looked around to find Harry but he wasn't there. She stood close to the large window near the staircase, when she noticed a barn, she decided to explore it. When she did reach it, she found much more than poultry, she found Harry feeding it.

"Hey," she said walking over to him, moving the hay with her feet as she came and stood next to him.

"Hey," he replied smiling as the little piglet he was playing with ran along squealing.

"So, I see you're a farm boy,"

"I wouldn't put it that way,"

"What way would you put it?"

"Fine I am a farm boy," he said shaking his head.

"I like farm boys," she said smirking as Harry rolled his eyes and faced her.

"You do?" he asked quizzically.

"I am sorry we couldn't talk last night," she apologized with a small smile on her face.

"Forgiven," he replied as she giggled as they shared a short silence, but she spoke again.

"So—what are we going to do—about us?" she asked him as he stepped closer to her.

"I would suggest that you put away our thoughts about the rest and think of what we want," said Harry as Audrey sighed.

"As lovely as that sounds—you do know that it is not possible," she said as Harry slumped and nodded, his hand reached out to caress her face as he pushed back a stray strand hair from her face.

"Maybe—we could still be together—without the knowledge of anyone else," said Harry shortly as Audrey contemplated his suggestion.

"That is most preferable," she replied placing a quick peck on his lips as he held her close and pulled her into a much deeper display of his affections for her.

"I believe it to be best if Ron and Hermione were aware of our agreement," said Audrey after they pulled away from each other. Harry smiled at her and nodded kissing her forehead as he held her close.

August seemed like a fast paced month, nothing really interesting happened apart for the fact that Fred and George had roped in Audrey for new ideas for their new shop. They had worked out a 60:40 ratio between them on the profits that the products, mainly potions that Audrey would come up with. Audrey was already working on a project called "spell in a box" for them, where there were simple jinxes and hexes in a box and when the box was opened the spell would shoot out. Although they would have to put several warnings on the box Fred and George quite liked the idea, plus Audrey had offered the premise that they could start looking into the squib markets as well and Fred and George had considered her an avid business partner and said that if and ever she needed anything for the store, she could take it for free, just like Harry had that privilege.

Audrey had finally finished her project and had asked Harry to test it on her, so after a few bruises here and there Audrey decided that the boxes were ready for sale, she would deliver them to Fred and George the day they went to Diagon alley to get their supplies.

Harry and Ron helped Audrey carry the two sacks of boxes as they made their way to Diagon alley by floo. Mrs. Weasley ordered them to stay around the Weasley's store and not wander off elsewhere seeing that most of the Alley was empty and deserted as a few people popped around, a few shops were in smithereens. Mrs. Weasley went with Mr. Weasley, Tonks, Remus and Sirius along with professor Sinistra to buy the supplies needed by the students, it was best if they didn't have to tag along.

So half of their time was spent in Diagon alley waiting, when Audrey and Harry were bored of the Weasley's shop, they stepped out along with Ron and Hermione as they decided to walk around. They reached a burnt down shop as they entered it.

"This is terrible—everyone bought their wands from Ollivanders," said Ron disappointedly as his friends looked around the shop, while he glared out of the broken display window, Ron frowned at a particular sight.

"Harry is it just me—or does it look like little Draco and mummy are looking like they don't want to be spotted," said Ron suspiciously as Harry stepped closer to Ron, he had to agree, it did look a lot like Ron had put it, suspicious.

"Come on," said Harry as they walked out of the store.

"Harry—do you think this is such a good idea?" Hermione asked as they saw Malfoy and his mother enter Knockturnal Alley.

"Come on," said Harry as they followed the Malfoys through the long and twisted alleyways.

Draco and his mother stopped outside one particular shop that reminded Audrey of an antique store. Although the sign on the shop clearer stated what they sold here.

"Borgins and Burkes —We deal in unique artefacts" Everyone knew what unique meant down in Knockturnal alley—even Audrey.

The four of them tried to peer into the store but couldn't really manage to gather anything, when Audrey spotted a window behind the top of the shop they decided to climb onto the roof of the closed store next to Borgins. When they were settled up lying on their bellies on the top of the roof they noticed a line of men dressed in black robes enter the shop from the back. Audrey recognized them as death eaters, from the top of the roof they all noticed that Draco was looking at something in particular, a cabinet of sorts, it was large, he inspected the door, the handle, the cravings as the bloke who was the shopkeeper seemed like he was snivelling around them like they were loyal customers. Draco seemed to move away like he was unsure, he raised a hand and pushed it through his hair as his mother stepped beside him and kissed his cheek softly, if Audrey hadn't seen American version of Italian mafia movies she wouldn't have remembered the scenes from the Godfather, she wouldn't have scoffed and the roof tiles under her wouldn't have shifted noisily.
They hid when Fenrir Greyback turned as he heard a sound, he looked out of the window and glared at the empty space before him, before Harry or the rest to get any more information, the drapes were drawn and everything was blocked away from their view.

Ginny had been talking to Dean on the train with her pink pygmypuff sitting on her shoulders; truthfully it kind of reminded her of pigwedgeon. Ginny noticed Dean leaning in as Luna came to stand next to them as Ginny moved away instantly.

"Quibbler?" asked Luna chirpily as she had a few copies of the quibbler that she was selling. Ginny smiled at her and paid for a copy as she read the cover page.

"What are wackspurts?" asked Ginny confused.

"Oh, there are these tiny invisible creatures that float around your head and makes your mind all fuzzy," said Luna enthusiastically as Ginny nodded as Luna went ahead and she shook her head pitifully as she then pulled Dean into a swift snog.

Audrey made her way out of the train bathrooms at the end of the Gryffindor compartment near the intersection of the Gryffindor and the Slytherine compartments. She noticed Draco sitting alone looking out of the window as his friends soon joined him as Blaise sat down in front of Draco and obstruct her view. Audrey made her way down the aisle of the Gryffindor compartment as she came across Ginny snogging Dean, she quickly passed them and opened the door to the section were Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting, they were all dressed in their school robes too.

Audrey walked in on their conversation in between.

"What—can someone tell me what's happening" asked Ron confused as Audrey sat down next to Harry who draped a casual arm around her as she snuggled closer to him.

"Harry thinks Draco Malfoy has finally become a death eater," said Hermione unbelievingly as she shook her head.

"What—are you barking?" asked Ron laughing as Harry frowned.

"No—actually think about it—that—could have been some sort of initiation ceremony of sorts—seeing that, that store does sell dark artefacts I mean if Draco can buy something of that shop even though the shopkeeper knows he's not of age—I believe Harry," completed Audrey supporting her reasons completely.

"You're just saying that because you're his girlfriend now," snorted Ron.

"Don't worry Ron you'll get one soon enough," smirked Audrey as she smiled at Hermione who glared at her pointedly.

"That's not true-," said Ron defensively.

"What that you'll get a girlfriend soon or that Malfoy is a death eater," teased Audrey as Ron glowered at her his freckles becoming a rather dark shade of crimson.

"I mean think about it—what's you-know-who want with a twit head like Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"Well then what was he doing at Borgins and Burkes? Browsing for furniture?" asked Harry as Ron looked unsettled by Harry's reasoning.

"It's a creepy shop—he's a creepy bloke," replied Ron simply as Harry rolled his eyes.

"His father is a death eater—it only makes sense that Malfoy gets to carry forward the ideology," gave Harry as Audrey shifted a little away from him.

"Beside Hermione saw him brandishing his mark to the shop keeper with her own eyes while getting off the roof!" said Harry definitely.

"I told you I don't know what I saw," replied Hermione.

"I need some air," said Harry as he picked up his bag pack and left the compartment.

"Harry—doesn't go doing something stupid!" scolded Audrey getting up as Harry looked at her indignantly.

"Like what?" he called.

"Like going over to the Slytherine side to check up on things," said Audrey.

"That wouldn't really be stupid—I think it's a brilliant idea!" he gave.

"Harry!" called Audrey warningly.

"I won't," he said sighing as he shut the door behind him leaving the rest staring at the door.

Soon Ron and Hermione left the compartment so that they'd get this year's patrol schedule that the prefects were given every year before term started. Audrey was left alone sitting in the compartment as she read her new text books, she had applied for six subjects this year seeing that those were necessary subjects needed to become a Spinner and Audrey was quite hell bent on becoming one. Her subjects were Defence, Potions, and Herbology, Astronomy, Charms and Transfiguration.

"Audrey—would you be interested in purchasing a quibbler?—it comes with your own Wacksprut finding glasses," said Luna peeping into the compartment as Audrey looked up to see Luna Lovegood smiling at the door way wearing odd looking glasses.

"Umm...Sure," said Audrey smiling as she paid Luna five Knuts for a copy. Audrey skimmed through the copy and giggled to herself about the odd glasses as she slipped them on after reading about wackspruts, Mr. Lovegood sure let his imagination run wild. 'Nothing' thought Audrey obviously as she placed the magazine in the bag and let the glasses lay on the empty seat as she picked up her new potions text book again.

Another hour and the train lurched to a stop as Audrey shut her potions book and looked outside, she hadn't realized when the time had passed, she place the book back into her leather satchel as she pursued her lips, where the hell was Harry Potter?

Audrey picked up her bag and the glasses as the train began to empty out, she only got off on the station to check for Harry after the whole train was empty and everyone made their way towards the carriages. She could see Ron and Hermione helping a few second years into the carriages as they pushed themselves into the same.

Audrey was angry now, where the hell was this boy?—how was she supposed to leave without him, she knew he'd wait for her if he'd gotten off before her. Audrey clenched her jaw tightly as the motorman was back already and he was most definitely ready to drive back on his customary journey back to London. Audrey heard a boogie door opening as she noticed someone step onto the platform from it. Her smile faded when it wasn't Harry but Draco Malfoy instead. Audrey frowned, what was he doing here so late? Why wasn't he with his friends? Could Harry have—?

"Snape—what are you waiting for?" snarled Malfoy walking up to Audrey as her eyes fell on his sleeved left forearm.

"Snape!" snarled Malfoy coldly once again as Audrey's eyes snapped to look into his.

"None of you business is it Malfoy?" snapped Audrey coldly as Draco threw her a sneer.

"You forget Snape—I am a prefect—I could put you in detention—get into the carriage—you'll be late for the feast!" said Draco grabbing hold of Audrey's arm as he steered her away from the train. She instantly knew he was hiding something.

"Unhand me!" she snarled yanking her hand away and almost pulling his off its hinges.

"Snape—I am warning you!" snarled Draco.

"Sod off Malfoy!" snapped Audrey as she went back towards the station, noticing the steam beginning to form in the air as she realized that any minute the train was going to leave.

"Audrey!" she heard Draco call to her in anger.

"Eat dung Malfoy!" she snarled as Draco disappeared hurriedly into the last empty carriage.

Audrey yanked open the door to the boogie that Malfoy had gotten off from, she stepped into the main Slytherine compartment, which looked like a large study with several booths for a group of people to sit in as the individual compartments began after that.

"Damn Harry, Where are you?" snarled Audrey angrily as she could feel the engine in the front come alive, the ground under her was beginning to vibrate. She realised he must have been hiding under the cloak to have been listening in to Malfoy and his friends. She sighed, how was she supposed to find him now? She twisted the glasses in her hand as she realised something, if wackspruts were invisible, these glasses could spot them—she quickly hoped it would work, it was an illogical move she told herself, but if it worked she was going to believe everything that came out of Luna Lovegood's mouth, a highly unlikely premise, but yet.

Audrey's mouth dropped when she saw a rather large bunch of something that looked like a swarm of the tiniest flies.

"Hormonium revelio!" she shouted pulling out her wand as she did feel a rather strong presence of magic in the room, but couldn't spot it, she walked towards the wackspruts as they moved away when she kneeled down to their level. She waved her hand in the air trying to feel anything; she caught hold of something that felt like an obstruction. Audrey pulled off the glasses, and then pulled at the air getting hold of a watery material as she yanked it off. Harry lay there staring stiffly into nothing; his eyes were glassy as he seemed to be under a full body bind.

"Finite!" shouted Audrey as the spell instantly wore off and Harry shook himself up. They could feel the train begin to move as they rushed to the door, Harry jumped first running behind the train, Audrey jumped when the train picked up some momentum and became faster although Harry was successful in catching her into his arms.

They stood there hugging each other for a minute as Harry held her close to him, her head buried into his chest; while he saw the train leave the station. Once Audrey realised they were alright and that she was still in his arms, she pushed him away angrily as Harry smiled and chuckled a little as his nose bled, a lot of dry blood accumulated under it.

Audrey picked up her fallen satchel as she walked ahead, refusing to look at him as he raced behind her to catch up with quick long strides.

"Audrey come on listen to me!" he pleaded as he finally mustered some courage to speak to her hoping she had calmed down. They finally reached the school gates they had, had to walk all the way to the school seeing that they had missed all the carriages.

"Audrey?" he called again.

"Why? Why Harry why should I listen you?—I told you not to go there—did you listen to me?" she snarled at him as they entered the gates.

"What's that?" he asked touching the glasses in her hand.

"Don't touch them!" she snapped angrily as she swatted his hand away from hers.

"Audrey—Come on—I'm sorry!" said Harry as Audrey refused to look at him.

"Ah—about time—I have been looking all over the place for the two of you!" snapped professor Flitwick from below as Audrey jumped a little as she looked at the short professor.

"Right—names?" asked Flitwick unrolling a large parchment.

"Professor Flitwick—you've know me for the past five years," said Harry amusedly.

"No exceptions—Potter!" said Flitwick finding his sentence framing obscure himself.

"Who are all those people sir?" Harry asked as Audrey tried to look at the random bunch of people around the place.

"Ministry aurors mixed with spinners—for security," replied the professor.

Suddenly Malfoy came into focus where all the trunks were being checked as Filch took extra care to look through his trunk.

"What's this cane 'ere boy?" snarled Filch in his usually bitter demeanour.

"It's not a cane you cretin, it is a walking stick!" snapped Malfoy sharply threatening filch to say anymore.

"And what do ya' need a walking stick fo'?" asked Filch his spit flying everywhere, especially very close to Malfoy's face to his liking.

"It's alright Mr. Filch I can vouch for Mr. Malfoy," said a silky baritone voice that Audrey associated with her father as she turned around after staring at Flitwick charming the gates shut, even a mosquito daring to enter was zapped dead. Malfoy snatched his walking stick away from Filch and looked at him disgustedly as he turned around to see if anyone watched that.

"Nice face Potter," he snarled glaring at Audrey as Audrey threw him a cold glare back.

"So cute—you've got Snape babysitting you? Do you Potter?" snarled Malfoy as he took quick steps towards Audrey as Harry jumped in front of her and pulled out his wand.

"Why don't you get into the hall Malfoy—before I let these aurors take you to live with your father!" snarled Harry menacingly as Malfoy and he shared a emotionally unstable silence as Audrey caught Draco looking at her, his breathing was unstable, she blinked, was he going to cry. Draco snapped his gaze away from the Snape girl as he made his way into the great hall without glancing at anyone or anywhere. Audrey noticed her father taking in the scene as he threw her a look and then turned around and left, his robes behind him.

"Do you want me to fix it for you?" Audrey asked Harry as he smiled at her and nodded as she pulled out her wand.

"Episkey!" she ordered as the blue ray went through Harry's nose, he felt extremely cold and extremely hot at the same time as he then felt a rather sharp sting for a few seconds as it passed as soon as it came.

"How do I look?" he asked her.

"Like the stupid arse you are," she remarked dryly as he smiled at her while she shook her head angrily, Flitwick could be heard chuckling in the back as he ordered them inside before the feast was over.

"What did you find out anyway?" she asked him angrily as they made their way to the great hall.

"I figured out that Draco's been given some sort of big mission to complete—and he cannot fail," said Harry as Audrey gulped, she decided to change the topic.

"Scorgify," she said another spell, cleaning the dry blood off his face and nose.

"Do you feel alright?" she asked him tracing his nose with her soft hand, he smiled and kissed her hand.

"Perfect" he smiled as she gave him a faint smile as they entered the great hall together.

"Oh! No, we missed the sorting!" complained Audrey.

During dessert Lavender could be heard giggling next to Padma and Parvati as she whispered to them excitedly. Audrey was happy that Harry was eating and seemed to have let Draco's thought out of his head for a while, she too started to pick her fork into the chocolate walnut pie, she put a forkful into her mouth and chewed slowly enjoying the taste as Lavender squealed in delight as half the sixth year years looked a little annoyed at her, the people sitting around her weren't lucky enough to throw her a similar look.

"Pssst... Audrey.." called lavender over Hermione and Parvati. Audrey looked at her, her eyebrow raised in question.

"I think Cormac likes you," she giggled as Audrey chewed the bite in her mouth, she swallowed slowly.

"I'm sorry, who?" asked Audrey, she had heard this name before.

"Cormac McLaggen...he's been staring at you all through dinner," squealed Lavender again as Audrey flinched slightly; the girl's voice was almost...annoying.

"Brilliant," said Audrey shaking her head and pushing another bite of the pie into her mouth.

"He's not the only one," whispered Ginny looking at the Slytherine table loathingly, Audrey looked up to see Draco staring at her as if he were studying her or something, although the minute Harry turned to look at where the girls were looking he sneered and looked away as Pansy Parkinson tried her best to straddle him.

"What's his problem?" commented Ginny annoyed as Neville who was sitting next to Ron grunted in agreement.

"I don't know—but if he has the balls—we'll find out soon enough," said Audrey still glaring at Malfoy who refused to look at her although Audrey knew he was looking at her through the corner of his eyes.

"Merlin—Cormac is coming here—Audrey—he's coming to talk to you!" squealed Lavender in delight as Harry frowned, he did not like the sound of Cormac coming to talk to his girlfriend for purposes he absolutely did not want to think of. Come to think of it they weren't really dating out for everyone to know as of such and therefore someone trying to persuade Audrey would be completely normal in the given circumstances and even though Harry was aware of the fact that Audrey would most obviously refuse the poor bloke politely—may be snap at him once or twice seeing that McLaggen had a knack of bragging—but yet Harry was—he hadn't realised he had felt this before—Harry was jealous—insecure—no— he was fuming—but he knew better to shove McLaggen off his feet and beat him to pulp—he would be civil and eat his dessert till McLaggen cleared off—and then maybe if Audrey agreed they could meet late in the common room and snog each other senseless. What was he thinking? They had just shared a few kisses here and there in the summer—snogging her was a completely different concept all together.

Audrey could see what Lavender had been so excited about. Cormac McLaggen was one of those typical pretty boys. Stylized blonde hair, a perfect smile showing of his exceptionally white teeth, a lovely straight nose, a snobbish posture obviously reeking of his idea of being on the top of the food chain of the socially superior and a well built body that showed of perfectly from his uniform due to him discarding his robes. Yes, Cormac McLaggen was one of those stereotypical pricks who thought they were way above the rest, treated them in a decent manner to get their way although usually mixing sarcasm in their speech to make others feel stupid, cracking annoying and lame wisecracks only they understood and of course talking things whose meaning only they understood, admires nodding while critics reasonably acknowledging their presence as an abomination to morality and humanity they so lacked. Audrey was going to be a critic, although a polite one, she didn't need any more stalkers or enemies after she caught Malfoy staring at her creepily.

Audrey ignored him as he passed Lavender who swelled up in praise for him, he thanked her called her 'Leona' or something making Lavender's smile deflate a little although not completely. He walked up to Hermione who was sitting next to Audrey; he now stood behind the bench in between them. Hermione made some sort of awkward face as Cormac smiled at her and swooped down to placing his face extremely close to Audrey's, so when she turned their lips were merely centimetres apart.

"Hello," he crooned sweetly as Audrey pushed herself into Seamus who was sitting next to her; he turned his head around and frowned slightly.

"Umm...hi," she replied awkwardly as she pushed her back into Seamus, he understood and let her be there, besides, he was enjoying it. Harry knew—the sick bastard was enjoying his girlfriends back due to her desperation to get away from this creep. Harry curled his fist as Hermione threw Ron a look and Ron gripped Harry's arm in place so that he could keep a hold on him if he got angry.

"So, lovely night isn't it," said Cormac silkily.

"Umm...sure," said Audrey smiling a little.

"Just as lovely as you are," said , as Audrey resisted the urge to laugh out on his face, that had to be the lamest pick up line she had heard since her third year before Jacques—when Benny Lumier had tried to call her 'long legged sexy' he had obviously been put into detention for using such terminology in front of a teacher, although Audrey had laughed on his face making him feel rather bad, she did apologize later as did he and they seemed to be good friends now.

"Umm...thanks—but who are you?" she asked raising her eyebrow—Audrey had played this so many times, seen so many professional older students at Beauxbatons do this so many million times, that she was pretty revised in this—she delivered the first blow, she could see his self esteem falling a little as he choked back on his words but never the less he was a strong player, he spoke smoothly.

"I'm Cormac—Cormac McLaggen," he smiled cheerily as Harry clenched his teeth.

"Well—it's lovely to have met you," she smiled and then turned her head back to her plate—the second blow. Cormac looked a little flustered but he wasn't going to give up.

"Audrey—I was actually wondering—if—you would allow me you escort you back to Gryffindor tower tonight after the feast?" asked Cormac smartly as she turned to look back at him.

"Why? I think you will find that I am quite capable in finding my own way to the tower—thank you very much," she said smirking as Ginny almost spilt her pumpkin juice while giggling.

"No I meant-," began Cormac as he gulped, Audrey scoffed, he was losing his confidence.

"You meant?" she asked curiously, she noticed Harry relax; he seemed to think she was doing quite well actually.

"I wish to court you!" he said finally a little shaken, as Audrey laughed her eyebrows, she couldn't hold her laughter in anymore, she burst out laughing, Cormac seemed to look slightly angered.

"Look—Cormac—you're a really nice—guy—but—" Audrey began in between her melodious laughing spree.

"But—I can't possibly allow you to court me!" she added as she laughed a lot after that—who in the bloody 20th century said the word 'court' anymore.

"Why not?" he asked, he seemed to be building his confidence—not a good sign.

"Well—you obviously don't know my father do you?" she said.

"Oh but I do Audrey—and I also know that you despise him—and I hardly think that he should have a problem with anyone you date—well apart from Potter—no offence mate!" said Cormac quickly as Harry frowned at him rather angrily.

"So you know," said Audrey softly, biting her lower lip trying to think of something else quickly.

"So will you go out with me?" he asked again as Audrey bit her lower lip again.

"Umm...look Cormac—I don't think I am really—umm...ready for a relationship and you seemed to be looking for one—I don't think I am ready for such a big commitment," said Audrey as Cormac thought it through.

"Well who says I am?" asked Cormac wiggling his eyebrows and smiling devilishly at her as she looked slightly flabbergasted.

"I don't see a reason for disapproval anymore," he said closing in on her once again.

"Umm...look—I don't think—now is the right time—give me some time," she said, Audrey couldn't believe she said that—but that was possibly the only way she was going to get him to leave her alone for the time being.

"I like that—I shall await you answer," he said smiling at her, leaning in further as Audrey smiled and nodded leaning away.

Thankfully, Cormac walked away slowly as Lavender sighed about how lucky Audrey was, Audrey however was glad that she got the idiot of her hands, although when she looked at Harry, he didn't seem very pleased with this.

Dumbledore got to his feet at the staff table. The talk and laughter echoing around the Hall died away almost instantly.

"The very best of evenings to you!" he said, smiling broadly, his arms opened wide as though to embrace the whole room.

"What happened to his hand?" gasped Hermione.

She was not the only one who had noticed. Dumbledore's right hand was as blackened and dead-looking as it had been on the night he had come to fetch Harry and Audrey. Whispers went all around the room; Dumbledore, interpreting them correctly, merely smiled and shook his purple-and-gold sleeve over his injury.

"Nothing to worry about," he said airily.

"Now… to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you…"

"His hand was like that when we saw him over the summer," Harry whispered to Hermione.

"I thought he'd have cured it by now, though… or Madam Pomfrey would've done."

"It looks as if it's died," said Hermione, with a nauseated expression.

"But there are some injuries you can't cure… old curses… and there are poisons without antidotes…" began Audrey as Dumbledore went on with his speech.

"… and Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," said Dumbledore in all seriousness as half the hall could be heard snorting, saying "yea right" in their heads.

"Captains for the teams are as follows:

Hufflepuff: Justin Flinch Fletcher

Ravenclaw: Edgar Forest

Gryffindor: Audrey Snape

Slytherine: Zambini Blaise"

Everyone cheered for their respective captains, Audrey had most certainly not expected this, she was sure Harry was going to get this, when she looked at him, he seemed displeased, she could understand his disappointment, she smiled at him as he did not respond at all.

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year, Professor Slughorn"— Slughorn stood up, his bald head gleaming in the candlelight, his big waist coated belly casting the table into shadow — "is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master." Said Dumbledore cheerfully

"Potions?"

The word echoed all over the Hall as people wondered whether they had heard right.

"Potions?" said Ron and Hermione together, turning to stare at Harry and Audrey.

"But you said —" Hermione began

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," said Dumbledore, raising voice so that it carried over all the muttering,

"Will be taking the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No!" said Harry, so loudly that many heads turned in his direction. He did not care; he was staring up at the staff table, incensed. How could Snape be given the Defence Against the Dark Arts job after all this time? Hadn't it been widely known for years that Dumbledore did not trust him to do it?

Audrey frowned at him but did not say anything, she knew he did not like her father and there was no correcting this seeing her father was as much as hated Harry presence as Harry did.

"But Harry, you said that Slughorn was going to be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts!" said Hermione.

"I thought he was!" said Harry, racking his brains to remember when Dumbledore had told him this, but now that he came to think of it, he was unable to recall Dumbledore ever telling him what Slughorn would be teaching.

Snape, who was sitting on Dumbledore's right, did not stand up his mention of his name; he merely raised a hand in lazy acknowledgment of the applause from the Slytherine table, yet Harry was sure he could detect a look of triumph on the features he loathed so much.

"Well, there's one good thing," he said savagely. "Snape'll be gone by the end of the year."

"Harry!" scolded Hermione as she threw a side long glance at Audrey who seemed to shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. Harry, Ron, Hermione and were not the only ones who had been talking; the whole Hall had erupted in a buzz of conversation at the news that Snape had finally achieved his heart's desire. Seemingly oblivious to the sensational nature of the news he had just imparted, Dumbledore said nothing more about staff appointments, but waited a few seconds to ensure that the silence was absolute before continuing.

"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength."

The silence seemed to tauten and strain as Dumbledore spoke. Harry glanced at Malfoy. Malfoy was not looking at Dumbledore, but making his fork hover in midair with his wand, as though he found the headmaster's words unworthy of his attention.

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that you teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them — in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety. Also the ministry appointed aurors and spinners will be treated with equal respect—they are here for our protection and therefore we do not need to increase their work pressure,"

Dumbledore's blue eyes swept over the students before he smiled once more.

"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"

"Also, I would request the captains to wait back and gather at the head table and speak with your head of the house," finished Dumbledore sitting back down as he busied himself in a conversation with Slughorn.

With the usual deafening scraping noise, the benches moved back and the hundreds of students began to file out of the Great Hall toward their dormitories.

"I'll see you later," said Audrey to Harry, Hermione and Ron had already gone off on prefect duty of showing the first years around the hall.

"Whatever!" grunted Harry in disapproval, made a face and stalked off with Neville, leaving Audrey standing there angry and disappointed as she turned around to face the staff the hoard of students pushing her to get out as she made her way in the other direction.

Once at the staff table, she waited for Professor McGonagall to turn away from talking to Slughorn, she was sitting next to Severus while Slughorn sat beside her.

Audrey noticed Draco walk up to Snape as Blaise jumped of the stage and leave as Malfoy began to talk to Severus, although his eyes were slightly focused on Audrey standing next to him.

"Ah—Ms. Snape—now—the quidditch-," began Minerva but Audrey cut her.

"Professor—I was wondering if it would be alright if you could chose someone else for this post," said Audrey sheepishly refusing to look at her grandmother.

"And who would you suggest I appoint in your place?" asked Minerva her stern face trying to look into her granddaughter's eyes.

"Umm...I don't know—Harry Potter?" asked Audrey as she could hear Slughorn getting interested in their conversation as he leaned in listening in.

"Ms. Snape—you are well aware seekers are never given the post of captaincy—that is breaking the rules of classic quidditch,"

"I know—but—but—Cedric—Cedric Diggory was captain,"

"That was due to the fact that there was no one else in Hufflepuff worthy enough for the post,"

"I wish to pay attention on my academics-,"

"I am sure so does Mr. Potter—and you have far better grades than he does,"

"But-,"

"I do not think you have an argument there Ms. Snape—now do you want me to tell you about the quidditch schedule and timings for your team or not?" snapped Minerva in finality as Audrey pouted slightly and scrawled a little.

"Yes ma'am," she sighed as she was handed the quidditch time table.

"I am sure you'll make a good captain Audrey—your mother was one," smiled Minerva as Audrey gave her a faint smile, but it went as fast as it came.

"I agree with Minerva Ms. Snape—now I don't suppose you could give this to Mr. Potter?" asked Slughorn handing two rolls of parchment to her.

"This one is for you," smiled Slughorn proudly as his bushy moustache tickled his nose.

"Umm...why don't you give it to him sir," she asked studying the man in front of her with a frown on her head.

"Oh—I would but then I thought seeing you were on your way to the tower," smiled Slughorn.

"He must have gone to sleep," said Audrey shortly as Slughorn tried to understand but then started laughing his stomach jiggling like a jelly.

"Oh—but my dear girls have access to the boys dormitory—I am sure he will be up," smiled Slughorn wiggling his eyebrows as Audrey blushed profusely.

"Very well sir, I shall hand it to him tomorrow at breakfast," snapped Audrey as nicely as she could as she slowly placed the scrolls into her robe pockets.

Something caught Slughorn's eyes as he looked at the shiny horse head spouting out of Audrey's pocket.

"Ms. Snape!" he shouted as Audrey stopped in her path, clenching her jaws she turned around smiling, she pushed her head slightly upwards as if gesturing him to go on.

"What is that?" asked Slughorn pointing at her pocket as Audrey frowned and dug a hand down it, she pulled out the only thing in it—her wand.

"May I see it?" asked Slughorn looking at it with awe as she handed him her wand carefully.

"This is quite marvellous-," he commented looking at her wand holder as he traced his beefy finger over it and slid it down the wand.

"Thank you," she smiled honestly.

"Meteor Louie-quiet a rare make," said Slughorn studying the creeper pattern that ran around the wand—it was a typical Meteor Louie make.

"He hardly makes any wands—how did you come across this—the last I heard of Meteor Louie—he was in France!" said Slughorn.

"I was in Beauxbatons till my fifth year sir—I—I was handed this was by Meteor Louie," she said a light tinge of red forming on her cheeks.

"You don't say—oh, do go on Ms. Snape—I have heard of Meteor Louie tales—never met one in person!" smiled Slughorn earnestly.

"Well—I was eleven, my mother and I were shopping for supplies when we entered the wand shop and he was there—he was looking for first years to experiment his new design on—the shopkeeper asked me if I was interested—well my mother refused in the beginning—I mean— Meteor Louie is pretty expensive—this one itself cost her a hundred galleons," said Audrey as Slughorn leaned in for more.

"And then what?" asked Slughorn anxiously.

"Well—then we were going to leave—seeing the store was crowded my mother said I could use her old wand for a year—but when we were leaving Meteor Louie thought it would be prudent for me to hold it—he said the wand was calling out for me to hold it—I thought he was crazy!" smiled Audrey fondly remembering.

"And then did the wand choose you?"Asked Slughorn.

"Yes—sir—that's why I have it!" she said a little oddly.

"Oh! Yes of course," said Slughorn nodding.

"What wood is it?" asked Slughorn trying to make her stay in the conversation.

"English oak and ebony—its core is powdered unicorn horn and phoenix feathers," said Audrey.

"And what about the holding Ms. Snape?—it seems like a very personal thing—who gave that to you?" asked Slughorn inquisitively.

"It is a horse sir—because—my patronus is a stallion—it was a gift actually," said Audrey wanting to leave.

"You can create a patronus?" asked Slughorn a little awestruck as Audrey nodded slightly.

"Who is it from?" pushed Slughorn.

"From a special person," she said smiling at him; he knew she wasn't going to tell him so he let her go.

Audrey smiled and got off the stage as she pocketed her wand, she didn't know she would be pulling it out again any second.

"So, I see Potter is giving you personalized gifts for shagging him!" snarled Malfoy as he laughed menacingly trying to reach for her robe pocket and her wand.

In a swift movement—he was slammed against the head table, Audrey's wand in her hand—she was glaring down at him as if her eyes were sharp blades.

"I swear Malfoy—you don't want to cross me!" she snarled coldly looking right into his eyes, sensing a tiny speck of fear as she her lips grew into a sneer.

"Let him go this instant!" snapped her father—she could tell from his voice, it was so clearly distinctive.

"I see Gryffindor is going to be losing points before term starts—twenty points from your house would suffice!" said Snape snarkily as he smirked when Audrey let go of Draco who straightened his robes when she moved away.

"I suggest you get to your dormitories before curfew or I don't think twenty points is all that you will need to worry about!" sneered Severus as Audrey snapped her head to look at him, he raised his eyebrow at her expression, but she threw him the coldest glare she could manage—the next thing they knew Audrey had jumped off the stage and was walking out of the hall with quick strides and her robes billowing behind her.

"Filthy half blood," snapped Malfoy as softly as he could while looking at Snape, who in someway gestured that he was sorry. Slughorn saw all of this—it made him want the Snape girl to join his list of favourites even more.

Audrey was fuming when she reached the portrait hole-what was Malfoy's problem? The only thing she could remember was Bellatrix's cackling laughter stating that she should become Draco's slave—Audrey wanted to punch something so badly instead she stomped her feet when she walked, when she reached the fat lady who was talking to the woman in the next portrait. Audrey didn't know of any other way to vent her frustration so she jumped, she jumped in the same spot for a few minutes grunting furiously as she stopped a few minutes later red in the face, while the portraits next to the fat lady glared at her worriedly.

"Persepolis Dexterous," said Audrey slightly embarrassed as the fat lady let her in instantly.

On her way in the common room, Audrey had already taken off her outer cloak and pulled off her tie knot popped open the first two buttons of her white shirt and proceeded to pull her skirt below her waist, she needed to remind her mother that she would be needing a new uniform next year, the shirt was getting tighter and the skirts shorter, she was growing fat it was just her chest seemed to have expanded way more than she had perceived. Audrey quickly walked through the empty common room slightly embarrassed.

"Hey—what's the rush?" called a voice for behind her, she spun on the spot her wand out in her hand ready for attack.

"Oh—I thought you'd gone to bed," stated Audrey simply as she pulled out the scroll that Slughorn had dumped into her hand.

"I was waiting up for you—I thought if you got lost I could come find you," Harry said smiling as Audrey felt rather tired but he did manage to make her smile out of all the frustration.

"That's awfully kind of you," she said stepping closer to him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I knew you'd think that way—truthfully I was just waiting for you to come by and snog me," he said joking as she smiled amused and raised an eyebrows.

"Slytherine!" she remarked dryly as he kissed her softly at first and then pulled her onto the couch with him. After the snog session Harry had been dreaming of since the train ride here and hearing about Dean almost shagging Ginny on the train didn't help him wonder how it would feel like having an actual girlfriend for once—even though they were dating in secret he liked the fact that dating her didn't making him guilty of anything unlike last year when he was dating Cho but thinking of her.

Audrey was staring into the dying fire as Harry sat next to her, he could see her yawn—he knew she must have been tired after all he himself had decided to go to sleep at first but then he was against it—seeing that an empty common room wasn't an every night phenomenon. She stretched a little and rubbed her eyes sleepily as he smiled watching her—he found her actions rather adorable—he could tell why though—he was in—he was in—something with her—it was love—not yet—he didn't really know if it was—if it was it was too soon—but then again—he didn't know what he was waiting for?

"Slughorn asked me to give this to you—said I had to keep one while you had to keep the other—he said he'd take our replies to some party later—I suppose that is what he sent invitations out for," said Audrey shrugging.

"You don't seem to like him very much," said Harry curiously

"Not as much as I would want to like a potions teacher—I mean I have a feeling he's going to be partial to the best students in class," she said agitated.

"So what are you worried about?" he asked her frowning.

"You are the best student in potions class," he said kissing the top of her head as she scoffed shaking her head.

"I pride myself with modesty—although saying that makes me sound pompous—but it's true," she said nodding her head.

"What's bugging you?" he asked sitting up straight.

"I don't know just the fact that—I think I'll miss dad teaching potions," she said shrugging.

"What's there to miss—he's going to teach us defence now!" groaned Harry as Audrey chuckled slightly as he buried his head into his hands.

"What are you worried about you got the highest in defence class," stated Audrey as Harry peeped through his hands, she could tell he was smiling.

"Exactly my point—he's going to be the worst thing ever," he groaned again.

"Drama queen," she muttered as he looked up at her and frowned, next thing she knew his hands were on her waist tickling her to hell.

"Damn you Harry—Po—Potter—le—let—go—o—of—o me," she laughed as he stopped. They fell silent for a while when she spoke as she kissed his lips a few times hurriedly.

"I'm sorry you didn't get to be captain—I asked her to change it—but she refused," she said disappointedly as he laid his head over hers slowly and looked into her eyes.

"Hey—I am glad at least it wasn't McLaggen—or Seamus—besides—I never really thought I was going to be captain Audrey—I am a seeker—you know how it works," he said sounding a little disappointed himself—he thought he'd be as lucky as Cedric had been.

"Yea—but I am still sorry," she said looking at her hands as she failed to see him smile at her as he pulled her into another kiss before they went to their dormitories to settle in for the night.

AN/- hey you may have noticed that Dumbledore's speech belongs to Rowling along with a few of my inputs to fit Audrey in-hope you enjoyed it. REVIEW! They make me exceptionally happy