I had no choice but to cut this one off. There was just too much to process, even for myself.

Chapter 33

Two months passed. It seemed for a while that the Professors were doing all they could to keep Draco and Raven apart. They would either have one do something after class and send the other on their way or they would catch the two just before they would meet and need to “talk” to one of them about something. Finally, it was getting too hard to keep them apart. The professors couldn’t find any more excuses and just accepted the spell driven relationship for the time being. When Raven was not in class or studying, she spent her time with Draco. They acted like two very happy, lovesick people. The new Hogwarts relationship had some people steering clear of the two. No one knew exactly why Draco and Raven got together; all they knew was that it was a suspiciously bad thing. Crabbe and Goyle didn't seem to mind the relationship; however Harry, Ron and Hermione did.

One night, Hermione came to her in a fit of curiosity and began asking her questions about how the relationship was going. When Raven told her everything was great, Hermione became frustrated and told Raven that she was only seeing Draco because of a potion and she needed to find an antidote before it went too far. Raven quickly dismissed Hermione by telling her she needed to concentrate on her own life instead of butting her nose into someone else's. Raven could sense her friend's irritation but couldn't understand where she was getting the idea that she was under a spell or potion. Since then, Hermione, Ron and Harry never had anything to say to her. Raven assumed that since they couldn't talk to her about anything other than her relationship with Draco that there was nothing else to talk about. It was disappointing to Raven; her friends meant the world to her. She hoped that one day they would come to accept her relationship and they could go back to being supportive friends.

Despite all of the rumors and whispers going on behind Raven's back, she never let her relationship with Draco wither. With every day, the two not only became stronger in their friendship but in their love as well.

One Saturday afternoon, Raven was sitting at the Slytherin table eating lunch when the conversation shifted from fun to upsetting for her. Draco, who had been talking about how much fun it would be to turn Professor Moody into a ferret, quickly transitioned to him making horrible fun of Harry.

"Draco, don't," Raven said, putting her hand in his. "He is still my friend. I don't expect you to like him, but please respect me enough not to make fun of him in front of me." Despite her friends' feelings for her right now, she had enough respect for them to defend them.

"Why can't you forget about Potter and his friends? You don't need them anymore. Besides, when we are married you two won't have any room to be friends." Draco, Crabbe and Goyle shared a wicked laugh. Raven pulled her hand away and looked at him like she couldn't believe what she just heard.

“Married?” Raven was baffled. Why would he bring up marriage?

"Yeah, father told me of a marriage contract between the two of us. So, it's not like you can invite any of your current 'friends' over for dinner. We don't get along. And it's high time that you get used to life without their company."

"Marriage contract? What are you talking about? Besides, we aren’t married yet and you shouldn’t make choices for me, married or not!”

Draco dropped his fork on his plate, which made a loud clanging noise. "There was a contract signed by your dad and mine shortly after I was born. Crazy, huh? Good thing we‘re together. Otherwise we would have had a hard time getting together. Besides, I may as well start being the man of the relationship and putting my foot down. You need to end your friendship." Draco looked at his friends and made a gesture to them that made them laugh.

Raven got the strange feeling that all of this was familiar. Regardless of the strange sense of deja vu, she wasn‘t going to give up her independence for a man. "I don't like your friends either. And so what if you’re the man, I’m the woman and can make your life miserable if I choose. If I am supposed to chuck my friends aside without batting an eye, then it should be no problem for you, too."

Draco rolled his eyes and picked up his fork to continue eating. "My friends are different. Father likes them."

Raven was grinding her teeth. It had been months since she became this angry. She almost forgot what it felt like. She quickly stood up and grabbed her bag.

"Well, we are not going to be living with your father, are we? You know? I can't even believe we are talking about this. We are so far off from our wedding day and you are already making decisions for me. You can take your plans for me and my friends and -"

"Raven?" said a timid voice behind her.

"WHAT?" she yelled, shooting around to see Colin Creevy standing in front of her, looking quite frightened. "Sorry, Colin," she said, wiping hair that got in her face, "What do you need?"

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you this." Colin reached out and handed Raven a folded piece of parchment. "He said it was important."

"Thank you, Colin." With those words, Colin scurried away. Raven looked at the folded parchment and turned around to finish her conversation with Draco. A quick glance over at the Gryffindor table revealed that she was making more of a scene than she intended. The Weasley twins and her friends couldn't take their eyes off of her. She wanted to yell at Draco more, but realized that she couldn't. She loved him too much to be mad at him. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll talk to you later."

Draco nodded and Raven went on her way. She threw one of the doors of the Great Hall open and paced around like she didn't know where she wanted to storm off to. Eventually, she sat on the steps, rested an elbow on her knee and rubbed the anger out of her face. She then closed her eyes, stretched her back and tried to pop her neck, hoping it would relieve the tension in her body. After a few swirls of her head, she looked down and noticed two feet standing in front of her. Following the feet up slowly, she realized that George was staring down at her.

"Need a neck rub?" he asked, as he sat next to her.

"Excuse me?"

"Do you need a neck rub?"

"I don't think that would be appropriate." Raven looked down and started rubbing her neck.

"You and Draco look pretty happy. Except for that scene in there."

"We are, except for that scene in there. He's having a hard time accepting who my friends are. What he doesn't know is that my friends want nothing to do with me since we got together."

"They still care about you. We all do."

Raven turned around and looked at George with concern. "Why are you here?"

He sank his head and started fidgeting with his fingers. "I can be your friend can't I? You looked like you needed one, so here I am."

"If Draco has his way, I won't have any friends except for his. I don't know why he's acting so mean all of a sudden."

"Perhaps because he is mean?"

"He is not! Draco is a kind and caring individual. He was probably just acting out in front of his friends. I think I just overreacted."

"Raven, two months ago, you despised Draco and you wanted out of that contract. How do you explain the two of you all of a sudden getting together and falling madly in love with each other? Other than the spell from that ring and that potion, I don't know how you can."

"How did you know about the contract? And how dare you insinuate that I was given a potion! Hermione said the same thing. I don't know where you all are getting this idea."

"We are not insinuating anything. We are simply stating fact."

"How do you know? Did you see this potion being given to me?"

George looked away.

"There. You don't know, so quit making these accusations!"

"How do you know you love him?"

"I don't know how I know. I just do."

George turned to Raven and when Raven wouldn’t look at him he moved in front of her and knelt on the steps.

"Raven, do you remember loving me at all?"

"Me? With you. No, that could never have been possible."

"How could it not have been possible? Is the last year and half gone from your memory?"

"There is just no way. I think I would have remembered being with you. That‘s a memory you don‘t forget."

"Then what do you remember?"

Raven was at a loss for words. She went back through her memories and couldn't remember most of the last year and a half. She remembered being sent to her uncle's house after her father died, bits and pieces of her first year at Hogwarts, going to Snape's house for the summer, and spending her time with Draco. After realizing that this time had passed and she couldn’t fill the gaps in her memories, she became distressed. However, she didn't let George see her frustration.

"What are you trying to prove?” Raven was getting irritated at his line of questioning. “The quicker that you and the rest of this school understand that Draco and I are together and we are staying together, the happier we all will be. If you can't accept it, then there is nothing more to say to you."

"You don't remember anything, do you?"

Raven wiped her forehead and sighed. "I remember lots of things. And nowhere in my memories are there any thoughts of you except for this annoying little moment right now. Now excuse me, I have things to do."

George looked as though he had more to say but Raven didn't give him the opportunity. She marched upstairs to her dorm room. She hated to fight with anyone but her friends were acting so peculiar. Raven plopped on her bed and remembered the note that Colin handed her from Dumbledore.

Miss Snape,
Please, come to my office at 9pm this evening.
Professor Dumbledore

She threw herself back on her bed. What could this be about? If this has anything to do with Draco, I'm going to snap! Raven didn't know how much more she could take today. She decided it would be in her best interest to take a nap before dinner. As she lay in bed, she searched her mind for the reasoning behind Dumbledore's need to see her but fell short of an explanation and eventually fell asleep.

Raven woke up several hours later and noticed that it was getting dark outside. The clock on her wall said that she was ten minutes late for dinner. After jumping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom to freshen up, she ran to the Great Hall to eat. Everyone had already started eating; some were almost finished by the time she sat down. When she finished eating, she knew she had enough time to go back to her dormitory and get some homework done before her meeting with Dumbledore.

As she approached the main stairs, she was stopped by Draco.

"Raven, I need to talk to you." He grabbed her hand and she turned around to face him but was still too angry at him to look him in the eye. "I want to apologize for today. I upset you. I shouldn't have said the things I did."

"I'm sorry, too. I never should have walked away without resolving the issue." Raven wasn't entirely sure why she was apologizing to him but she loved him too much to stay mad at him. One look at him seemed to melt away any reason why she was furious with him to begin with. "Draco, I would love to chat but I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore."

"What does he want to see you about?"

"Don't know. But I need to go. I would like to get some homework done before I meet with him."

"Okay. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course."

Draco kissed Raven. "Let's not fight anymore. I love you."

"I love you, too."

By the time she was reached the common room, she realized that she wouldn't have enough time to do some homework. Instead, she left the common room and walked towards Dumbledore's office. As she approached his office door, she almost didn't want to knock. All of this seemed wrong to her and she couldn't explain why. The only thing she could sense was that she was going to come out of this meeting a different person.

Chapter 34

A different person?
I think that- NOPE! Won't say anything!
Great post!
PAMS!
ILY

Abi... xox

That was just...sickening. That's so sad that she can't remember being in love with George. She feels like she'll be a different person??? Hmmmm, bless Dumbledore if he has what I think he has.
Great post! PLEASE PAMS!

I have a question for all of you. I watched a little bit of one of the Star Wars movies and I had an epiphany. In order to answer my question you will need to read the next chapter that will be posted here in about, oh...a couple of hours. Don't answer till you read the chapter.

Question....
Would you read a Prequel to this story in conjunction with this story? The two stories would remain separate but the characters would be related to the HP universe and my character (only not my character...a new one). Make sense?

Chapter 34

Finally knocking on Professor Dumbledore’s door, Raven’s nerves began to build as she waited for the door to open. A wad of saliva stuck to the back of her throat and she had a hard time swallowing it down. When the door opened, she choked a little on the spit when she saw her uncle at the doorway. Snape's face didn't react when he saw her. He stood to the side to let Raven in. She stared at him as she passed, trying to read any thought or emotion that would give her a clue as to why she was summoned to Dumbledore's office. Not being able to read anything from his mind, she tried to see if his expression would help her out. That was unsuccessful as well.

"Miss Snape, I'm glad you came." Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk. His tone did nothing to break the tension for Raven. Obviously the conversation they were about to have was not going to be a pleasant one. "Please, have a seat."

Raven slowly walked over to a chair in front of the desk, taking quick glances at her uncle, and then sat down with trepidation.

"I asked your uncle to join us, if you don't mind," said Dumbledore, giving a slight hand gesture to Snape to sit in the seat next to Raven. She looked at her uncle who seemed to glide over to the chair. Snape never looked at her as he sat down, as not to give Raven an opportunity to try and read him again.

"Sir, have I done something wrong?" She was ready to get this over with already.

"No, Raven," said Dumbledore. "There is some information about you that I feel that you should know."

"About me? What about me?"

"The best place to start is at the beginning. Tell me, what do you know about your grandmother on your mother's side?"

Raven shot a nervous look to Snape, then turned back to Dumbledore. “Well, sir, all I know is she married Orion Black, Sirius' father and then died giving birth to my mother."

"Is that all you know?"

"Yes. My father didn't know about her and my mother didn't know very much according to the diary she kept. Everyone else that knew her is probably dead. So yes, that is all I know."

"Not everyone is dead. I was her teacher while she attended school here."

"S-so you know her name?" Raven heard about this woman who was her grandmother but was never told her name. Excitement started to fight its way through the worry.

"Her name was Demeter Bronwyn Alvord. She was a lovely girl. Smart, talented, very popular with the students for her opinions; you remind me of her. However, she was reserved. She never had many friends; quite choosy in that regard. Probably because she never wanted to draw too much attention to herself; she didn't want anyone to know the power she possessed. The only people at the school that knew were the professors and three students."

"What powers?“

“Patience.“

“Okay.“ Dumbledore obviously didn’t know Raven very well. “If she didn't have many friends, then how could she trust those three people not to say anything?"

"Two of the people were her closest friends. Orion, your grandfather, and a fellow Ravenclaw named Audrina who has since died. The three were very close, despite their differences. Orion, you see, was in Slytherin. As you know, the two houses are quite different. Yet you couldn’t find one without seeing the other two. Orion and Audrina never would have told a soul about Demeter’s abilities.”

Raven started to count in her head. Dumbledore mentioned that three people knew yet, he only mentioned two. “Professor? Who was the third person?”

“The third person was one she never intended to know her secret, someone who was never her friend and who she never wanted as a friend. His name was Tom Riddle, he was three years older. Demeter never told him her secret, but he was quite powerful himself. Most older students never pay much attention to the younger ones, especially younger ones in different houses. He knew there was something unique about her. Although she would try to conceal her abilities, there would be times when she would accidentally expose them; never really noticing that anyone was paying attention. Tom was and, over time, began to formulate a plan for her."

Raven noticed that Snape sat straight up in his chair at the sound of this person's name. She hesitated to ask. "Do I know him?"

"You don't know him by his given name. You know him now as Voldemort."

Snape adjusted his robes at the sound of his name. Raven still couldn't put the two together. What did her grandmother and Voldemort have to do with her? She hoped that Dumbledore would get to the point soon.

"Tom was after Demeter since her first day at Hogwarts when he saw her, inadvertently, open her train compartment door without a wand. Everyday he had the chance he would send her notes and tell her that one day they would marry. She would ignore him and go about her business. However, there was one day, his last day at Hogwarts, he went to her and vowed that they would be together and the two of them would create the most powerful wizarding family to ever exist. Upset at hearing this, she came to me and told me everything he had said and done through the years. If I had known at that moment what Tom was capable of, I would have done more to protect her."

"Did he love my grandmother?"

"Tom was, and is, incapable of love therefore, he did not love her like a husband would love a wife; he was attracted to her power. You see, not only was Demeter a natural Occlumens and Legilimens and performed wandless magic like you, she was also a Seer. In fact, I was thinking she could be a professor of Divination. But, at the time, that wasn‘t my call to make."

Questions flooded Raven's mind. This was all starting to become overwhelming. "Whoa, Professor, I have so many questions right now. I don't even know where to begin."

"I'll try to answer all your questions, but let me try to finish first. When your grandmother married Orion, Tom was very angry. When she found out that she was pregnant with your mother, it should have been the happiest time of her life but Tom, being a skilled Legilimens as well, plagued her mind every day of her pregnancy. Demeter and Orion came to me a week before she gave birth. She was weak and frail. The maternal glow that most women have was masked by a cold, pale face. Demeter told me what Tom had been doing to her and said that the day before their visit with me, Tom went to her while she was shopping in Diagon Alley. He made promise to her; if she would not bear his child, that someone from her bloodline would be his to raise.

"I tried to help her, but my help came too late. By that time she had already died. Your grandmother didn't die giving birth to your mother; she died two days later. Her mind was weakened by not only a tough pregnancy but a harder birth. Orion said that she was in labor for thirty-seven hours. She was so weak and still diseased mentally, that eventually she lost control and took her own life."

Raven was in tears. Shock was not the word to describe what she was feeling. "Do-do you mean that Voldemort drove my grandmother to-to-"

"His role played a part."

Raven sat up straight and wiped her tears. Anger started to boil inside of her. "What does this have to do with me? And, with all of the other fish in the sea he had to pick her. Why her?"

"Demeter was different. Her abilities were unlike anyone's at Hogwarts at the time. He could have forced your grandmother into bearing him an heir, but he decided to use his own abilities to convince her. Since that didn't work and she married Orion, he became enraged. Thus, ultimately making a promise that affects you."

Raven leaned forward in her chair and covered her eyes. This was all becoming too much. More questions swirled around her. She didn't even know where to start.

"After your grandfather remarried, his new wife did not approve of her step-daughter," Dumbledore continued.

"Yes, I know that. She pawned my mom off to live with her in-laws."

"True, but what you don't know is that your grandfather's new wife knew the story of what drove Demeter to do what she did. The new Mrs. Black somehow found Tom, who had been in hiding, and tried to give your mother to him. Once he saw that your mother didn't possess any powers, he said no. Of course we found out later that your mother was a late bloomer. She did indeed have magical abilities but they did not surface till she was a little older. Meanwhile, she was already living with her aunt and uncle."

"Where was my grandfather in all of this? Why didn't he have a say in what happened to his daughter?"

"Wallburga Black was a strong woman; a Black through and through. She didn't want to have tainted blood in her family and she saw your mother as tainted blood. Orion was left with no choice."

"Once again, what does this have to do with me?" Raven's anger was starting to take over. She wanted the point of all of this to be made now.

"Your uncle came to me and told me of the marriage contract with you and Draco."

"I just found out."

Snape and Dumbledore glanced at each other. "What do you know of the ring that’s on your finger?” asked Dumbledore.

"It was left to a friend of my dads. He sent it to me last summer."

Once again, Dumbledore and Snape exchanged glances. Dumbledore got up from his desk and stood in front of Raven. He knelt down and looked at Snape once again. Raven knew that the point of this whole conversation was going to be made, and her already sick feeling got worse.

"Lucius knows the story about your grandmother, courtesy of his wife Narcissa, your mother's cousin. You know that he was a former Death Eater and he knows that if or when Voldemort is to return, he will be able to offer you up to him. When he saw your power as a very young girl, he jumped at the opportunity to get you into his family. You are his way of making amends to Voldemort for not bringing him back sooner if he is to return to power. He wants you to eventually work for their cause. Voldemort, if he knows you exist, will find you and do everything in his power to stake his claim on you and use you for his evil purposes."

Raven smiled in an effort to hide her true feelings. “How do you know all of this? This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard.“ Raven looked at Snape and gestured toward Dumbledore. “Are you buying this?“

Snape rubbed his mouth and sat forward in his chair. “Your father, told me in letters. While he was making arrangements for you, he told me what he believed to be Lucius’ intentions. I’ve known about this contract for years now. I never told you, because I didn’t think it would matter now. I regret this choice. I realize now, I didn’t do a good job of protecting you. But I vow, I will not fail again.“

Tears began to flow down Raven's cheeks again. She stared at Snape who looked as though he had just seen a horrible ghost. He hands were now clenched in a fist covering his mouth. Dumbledore stared at Raven, wondering what she was going to say.

"What about Draco? I love him. How do you explain that?"

"Your friends have tried to tell you the truth. If you are not going to listen to them, how are you going to listen to me?"

Raven stood up and walked toward the door. She turned around swiftly and walked back toward her chair. "You said my grandmother was a Seer. Am I a...Seer, too?"

"From what your uncle has told me about the visions that you have been having, yes. However, you lack the control that Seers have. Next school year, I would like you to have private lessons with Professor Trelawney."

"Oh, that's just fabulous! The one teacher at this school that's a complete wacko! You want me to learn how to control my abilities from someone who can hardly put one foot in front of the other without tripping but should have foreseen it coming! This is crazy!

"Raven, Dumbledore is right. You need to learn control." Snape stood and walked over to Raven and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Raven started pacing around Dumbledore's office. "I don't believe this. First you tell me Voldemort pretty much killed my grandmother. Then you tell me that my mother was almost raised by him. To top it all off, Lucius is using me as a peace offering to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Oh yeah, can't forget, I'm a Seer that has to take lessons from the biggest idiot at Hogwarts!"

"Raven, calm down. You shouldn't talk about professors that way." Snape attempted to quiet her down but was unsuccessful.

"I get gigantic bombshells dropped on me and you want me to calm down? I want to go home. Back to the States! I'm of age now and I'm leaving! I am not going to be around when Voldy comes around and I become his little minion!"

Raven marched towards the door and tried to get it open but a spell had caused it to stay locked.

"Raven," Dumbledore's voice came from right behind her, "trust me when I say that you are safe here. Your uncle will not allow you to become a servant of Voldemort. You have our protection but you have to stay here, where we can make sure that you will be okay."

There was something about Dumbledore's tone that seemed to calm Raven down. Raven fell to her knees and began to sob. "This is too overwhelming. I can't do this."

Dumbledore knelt down next to her and lifted her face up with his hand. "I know this seems like more than you can bear at the moment. But I know you are strong. I know that you will be able to handle this with the same strength that you do everything else.”

“You don't want to become like your father or myself and follow the wrong path because you were weak.” Snape knelt down. “I’ve never told you what to do, and been successful at it, but now I am and I‘m going to hold you to it. Stand up and fight this!"

Raven looked up at Dumbledore who was looking at Snape with a very pleased look on his face. Raven was pretty impressed too at her uncle's pep talk. She wondered to herself where it came from and why she hadn't seen it before.

After standing up, straightening her hair and wiping her face, she looked up at her uncle. She gave him a very small smile and then looked at Dumbledore who gave her an approving look. She nodded at him and walked out of the office. Her mind was blank as she walked back to the common room. Raven never spoke to anyone when she entered the buzzing room but went straight to bed, hoping that when she woke up, her mind would be rested enough to process the news she received.

Unfortunately, she woke up the next morning and her mind was still plagued with all of the news she received the night before. There was no one she could talk to at the moment to try and release some of her pain. The last person she thought she should tell was Draco. He wouldn't believe the part about his father using her to please Voldemort if he were to return. She was at a loss for what to think or how to feel. All she knew was that Voldemort could not come back. Not just for herself, but for the safety of the entire wizarding world as well.

Chapter 35

I would read it!

Oh my gosh. Wow, just wow. I love how unique and awesome this story is. And I love how everything is unraveling and what not.
Ugh, Have I mentioned how much I despise Lucius? Because I despise him more than you could imagine.

Great post!!! I loved it! PLEASE PAMS!

I'd read it

Awesome, guys! All I need is a title! haha

*finally catches up*

Zomg Heather. Great, great, great chapters! Ugh i hate Lucius even more now.
I dont know what else to say.
And you know I will read the Prequel


I love you!

PAMS!

Suzy

Glad you decided to join us, Miss Suzy. haha just kidding.

As soon as the prequel gets approved, IF it gets approved it will be available to all.

Yay! What is the title so I can keep an out for it?

Cursed: The Prequel to The Story You Haven't Heard. It will be posted in the mature section. See you there!!

Looking forward to it

ZOMG *catches up*

Okay, totally interested in the prequel. And I seriously want to smite Lucius even more.

*pets George, Hermione, etc., for trying to help* My respect for Snape just keeps growing as well.

PAMS

Chapter 35

The next couple of weeks for Raven were confusing and lonely. She spent most of her spare time in her dormitory reflecting on her conversation with Dumbledore. Taking a cue from her mother, she decided to start a journal, in an attempt to collect her thoughts and try to rationalize things that have happened or could happen. She thought to herself at one point, she needed to start making a plan. If Voldemort returns, learns about her and tries to force her into joining him, she needed to come up with a way to get out of it without being killed.

Then there was Draco. Since that night in Dumbledore's office, she became distant from him. When she would get close to him, she found herself pulling back and finding a reason to get away. She didn't want to mention to him her reasons for her sudden change of behavior. Despite her feelings for him, she always hated his father, especially now that he intends to use her to make Voldemort happy. Raven knew that if she said anything to Draco, not only would he not believe her, but it would end up being an argument she didn't want to have. There was enough on her mind now that she didn't want to have a fight with Draco to contend with.

One Saturday afternoon, Raven was sitting by the window in her dormitory gazing at the Hogwarts scenery, still trying to piece her life together. Spring was in full bloom and most of the students were outside enjoying the clean air and new warmth.

All of those people down there; with no worries in the world, enjoying life, taking every breath with hope and high expectations for their futures. For once in my life, I wish I were them.

Raven began writing in her journal again, when she heard the door to the dormitory open. It was Hermione, who went straight to her trunk and started rummaging around. Hermione closed her trunk and looked over at Raven. Raven closed her journal and stared at the window, hoping that Hermione wouldn't come over to start up a conversation.

"Raven?" asked Hermione. Raven was disappointed that her peace was interrupted but wasn't angry because other girls share a room with her; they were bound to be in and out.

"Yeah." Raven never looked away from the window.

"Do you have more ink? Ron ran out and Harry and I only have enough to make it to the end of the year."

"Sure, in my trunk."

Hermione went to Raven's trunk and began searching. "What's this?"

"What's what?"

"I remember now. This is the flower that George gave you last year."

"What are you talking about?"

Hermione walked over to Raven carrying a cylindrical, glass tube with a beautiful flower inside. It looked like a lily, only a light purple and with a slight glow. Raven took to tube from Hermione and looked it over as if trying so hard to remember how she got this.

"Last year, George gave you this. It's called the Amatorius Lillium. When a person gives it to the one they love, and if that person feels the same way, the flower opens up and won't die until the love they have for each other dies."

"But this flower isn't dead? How can that be? I love Draco?"

"Isn't it obvious? You and George still love each other."

"No I don't! When are you going to understand that I love Draco?"

"According to that flower, you don't! Do you see now what I've been trying to tell you? This potion is making you think that you love Draco. Raven, this potion is blinding you to reality. That reality is that you are in love with George."

Raven stared at the flower. She would have remembered getting something like this. At the same time, this seemed like the icing on the cake. With everything on her mind right now, then this comes up. She looked over at Hermione and wanted to hit her for bringing the subject up.

"Remind me to never to let anyone in my trunk again."

"Raven, I'm only trying to help."

"You're always trying to help, Hermione! That's the problem. My uncle was right when he said last year that you were an 'insufferable know-it-all.' You, Ron and Harry are always jumping in to save the day. Some things don't need saving or helping or whatever it is that you are trying to do!"

Hermione stared at her in shock and tears started to well up in her eyes. However, Raven felt no guilt. She was angry with Hermione for butting into business that wasn't her own, whether she thought she was doing the friendly thing or not.

"Just leave me alone. You don't know the half of what I'm going through right now, so let me deal with it the only way I know how. If I need your help, I'll ask for it. In the meantime, get a life or help Harry with the upcoming task. I know your just itching to lend a hand with that one. After all, that's what your good at right? Helping people with problems that you have no control over? At least you know that with Harry, you'll always have something to do in your spare time. With him being a problem magnet, I'm sure you have loads of things to do!"

Raven got up and the tube holding the flower dropped on the floor and shattered. She threw her journal on her bed and stormed out of the dormitory. When she got down the stairs, she noticed Ron and Harry at a table doing their homework.

"Hey Raven! Is Hermione up there?"

Raven only nodded and walked out of the common room. She didn't know exactly where she wanted to go. All she knew was that she wanted out of the castle. When she got down to the main entrance, she noticed Draco at the bottom of the stairs. Still furious with her conversation with Hermione, she certainly didn't want to talk to him.

"Raven! Where are you off to?" he asked as he ran up behind her.

"Not now, Draco. I'm not in the mood."

"We're all going outside to hang out, wanna come?"

"I said, not now! I'm not in the mood." Raven swiftly turned around to face Draco. "I don't want to talk to anyone, I don't want anyone to talk to me and I don't want to be here. In other words, leave me alone!"

Draco stopped and was taken back by her anger. Raven turned around and walked out of the castle doors. When she got outside, she saw Snape talking with Karkaroff in the courtyard. They seemed to be having intense conversations lately. Raven didn't want to stick around to say hello. She thought she could slip by her uncle unnoticed.

"Raven!" shouted Snape.

Too late. Raven tried to keep going but Snape caught up to her. "Look, like I told everyone else that has talked to me today, leave me alone."

"What happened?"

"Do I have a sign on me that says, ‘talk to me even though I say not to?’“

"Quit snapping at me and tell me what happened. What did Draco do?"

"Draco? Why did you automatically assume that Draco did something? What is everyone's problem?" Raven tried to walk away but Snape grabbed some of her robes and turned her around. "WHAT!"

"Are you going to tell me or do I have to keep persisting?"

Raven rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "Fine! Hermione tried to tell me that I once had feelings for George Weasley. She started telling me about that potion again. What's the deal with this potion anyway? Wouldn't I remember taking a potion?"

"No. Well, not this particular potion. It erased some of your memories. You told me after you took it. Lucius slipped it to you and Draco during your last trip to Hogsmeade. After you took that potion, you seemed to forget the memories of you and Mr. Weasley and that day at Hogsmeade."

Raven took a few steps back and realized that what he said was right. She wondered for a while why she couldn't remember hardly anything before a couple of months ago. Now that she had some sort of answer, rage built inside of her more. "I-I have to go."

"Where are you going?"

"Don't know. Somewhere I can think. One question though. If you knew about this potion, why haven't you done anything to find the antidote? You being a potions master, with access to an enormous library, you should have found it. Or do you relish in the fact that I am marrying Draco?"

"I only want what's best for you and I know that you marrying him will cause problems, especially if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is to return. We already discussed that the night in the Headmaster's office. As far as the potion, I haven't found it yet. What you have taken describes nearly every love potion in the books. It's hard to narrow it down."

"Right." Raven nodded her head slowly and looked in every direction but at her uncle, thinking on what he just said. "Excuse me while I snap."

She walked out of the courtyard and towards the lake. With her hands clenched into a fist and her teeth grinding together, she stopped and looked at the castle. She didn't want to go back. Raven cursed the day she stepped foot into that castle. In her mind, she never wanted to see anyone again, but her heart was telling her otherwise.

Her mind was full of thoughts that seemed to fight each other. I love Draco, but I'm under a potion. I'm under the influence of a potion that makes me love Draco but I don't care. Or do I? Marrying Draco is a dream but it means an encounter with Voldemort. George loves me but how did it even begin? How could I forget loving someone?

Raven's mind was racing. Soon her feet were racing to try to catch up with her thoughts. She ran towards the lake not paying attention to where she was going. All she could see were the conversations she‘s had the past couple weeks. The only things running through her mind were the words of Dumbledore telling her about her grandmother and Lucius' dark plan. Then the words of Snape, George and Hermione, telling her she didn't love Draco, that it was George she loved. As she ran, the voices only got louder.

She eventually stopped and fell to her knees. "STOP IT! STOP TALKING TO ME!" Raven let out a horrible scream, to try to get all of her anger and fear. "I LOVE HIM! DO YOU HEAR ME? I LOVE HIM!"

Two hands pulled her up startled her out of her rant.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" she said trying to kick herself out of the arms of this person.

"You were in the water. I'm pulling you out," said the mysterious person.

"Do you think I care that I'm in the water?" she said pulling off her robes and throwing them to the ground. It was George, who could only stare at her. "Why are you here? Or do you love showing up at the most inopportune times?"

"I spoke to Hermione. I figured you would be here. She told me you two exchanged words."

"Yeah, I let her have it for being nosey. I told her to find something else to do.” Raven walked toward a rock and sat down.

"You know that she was only trying to help you because she cares about you. After all, she is a friend."

"Well, sometimes friends need to realize that if they can't fix something, they need to let it go."

"We are all worried about you."

"Why? Because I love Draco and I should love you?"

"I know you still love me."

"How?"

"Because of this." George took off his robes and before wrapping them around Raven, he reached into one of the pockets and pulled out the glass tube containing the flower. "Hermione fixed it for you. She said you may want it back one day."

Raven took the flower from him and stared at it, still trying to form some answers. Her frustrations built up again. She bent over and put her head in her lap, then put her arms over her head. "Why is this happening to me?"

"Don't know. However, we can figure it all out, together. Only if you want.” George put his hand on her back.

Raven felt a surge of warmth all over her body. This feeling made her feel calm and relaxed. "Tell me about us, our relationship."

George looked down then looked back up at Raven and gave her a small smile. "Are you sure? You're not going to call me a liar or anything, are you?"

"No. I know I'm under a potion. And until I get out of it, I know that I will have feelings for Draco. This potion has taken away memories from my life. I want them back. Even if I don't remember them all, I still want to know what they are."

George began telling Raven how they met, their first date, their first kiss. He told her about the time that she came to the Burrow and they watched the sunset together and how Snape was there, attempting to give his approval to their relationship."

"Snape gave approval for us? He hasn't even accepted Draco and that’s his teacher's pet."

"Yeah, eventually he did. Took him a long time." George continued with their story. He told her about the train ride at the beginning of the year when all of this began. Then he explained to her the ring and its effect on her throughout the year. "Our last time together was during the Yule Ball. I told you I would never forget what you looked like that night, and I haven't."

"Why was it the last time we spent together?"

"We both thought it was for the best. The ring was taking hold of you in ways that were making you ill and depleting your abilities. I feel responsible for this current mess."

Raven stared at him for a brief moment. She saw in him the love that he had for her. "Why? From what I understand, I was slipped a potion."

“But I wonder if we hadn’t stopped seeing each other, you would have been with me. You would have never taken that potion.” George seemed remorseful. He genuinely believed he was responsible for Raven taking a potion.

“I don’t blame you at all. I don’t think it would have mattered at all.” Raven put her hand on George’s shoulder. He raised his head and looked at her with sad eyes. “You really care about me, don’t you?”

"More than you know." George took hold of Raven's hand. Without any hesitation, Raven rested her head on George's shoulder.

"Did we ever talk about running away? Because I would love to right now."

"We talked about it. But we knew it wouldn’t solve anything.”

The thoughts surrounding Raven never left her, but they were much calmer now. She closed her eyes hoping to shut down her mind but as she did, a vision came to her. Draco was walking toward the lake and saw her and George. Filled with rage, he pulled out his wand and fired a spell at George, pushing him forward and landing head first on a rock.

Raven immediately opened her eyes and turned around. Draco was standing there about to cast the spell. Raven shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Draco's wand shot out of his hand. "What are you doing Draco?

"What is he doing here?"

"Being a friend! I needed someone to talk to and he showed up!"

"If you need a friend to talk to, that's what I'm here for."

"Why are you so jealous? We were only talking!"

"Jealous? Of Weasley? I know I have nothing to worry about."

"Then why are you so angry right now, if it's not out of jealousy?" Raven turned to George to hand him back his robes. While she did so, she slipped him the flower. "Hang on to this for me, okay?" she whispered.

"What are you talking about over there?" Draco asked.

"I was thanking him for pulling me out of the lake!" she snapped.

"How did you get in there?"

"What, Draco? Is this twenty questions?" Raven turned and rolled her eyes to George who gave a faint smile. "If you must know, I wasn't paying attention and tripped into the lake. Fortunately George was nearby to pull me out."

"Is he following you?"

"Are you following me?"

Draco fell silent and gave a nasty look in George's direction. Raven knew that if she was not going to let Draco get the hint that she knew something that he didn't, she had a lot of making up to do at this point. She slowly walked up to him and grabbed his hand.

"Nothing was going on. I promise. We only talked," Raven said. She then put one hand on the side of his face. "I would never betray you. I love you, Draco."

"I just received some distressing news from father," Draco said quietly. "We need to talk."

"Sure, let's go." Raven turned back to George and gave him a faint smile. George looked as though he won a small battle in a big war, but only looked partially happy about it.

Draco swiftly turned around and outstretched his wand towards George. "Stay away from her, Weasley! She has me, she doesn't need you!"

"Why don't you let her judge that for herself," said George. "She is a big girl, after all. I believe she can make those kinds of decisions without your authority."

Raven sensed that Draco was getting ready to cast a spell. She gently put her hand on his arm and stood in front of Draco to get George out of his view. "Let's just go, Draco. We'll talk."

Draco dropped his wand to his side, took Raven's hand and walked towards the castle.

When they got to the courtyard, she noticed that the people out there were staring at her because of her soaked appearance. She pulled out her wand and with a complicated motion, a jet of air was released and dried her off completely. The two sat on a bench and Raven realized that whatever Draco wanted to talk to her about was not going to be good.

"What did you want to discuss?" Raven said, grabbing Draco's hands.

"Father sent me an owl. He says that something isn't right on your side of our relationship and wants me to keep a closer eye on you."

"What? What does he mean?"

"He thinks people are trying to manipulate you by telling you lies about us. He thinks those ideas are starting to affect the way you feel about me."

"Where on earth would he get an idea like that?" Raven felt herself get nervous. She was fighting the urge to spill everything she was told the past couple of weeks. It was everything she could do to stay calm.

Draco picked up her hand with the ring on it and stared at it for a moment. "He knows...through this."

"How can he know anything through a ring?" Raven was quickly reminded of her conversations with Dumbledore and George when he mentioned the ring and how she got it.

"I don't know exactly. But he knows that there is strong sense of doubt and that you’ve had it the last couple of weeks."

Raven stared down at the ring and the looked back up at Draco. She started to feel a strange warmth on her hand. The longer he touched it, the more the warmth spread throughout her body. She started to feel light-headed but retained her composure.

"So what you are trying to tell me is that your father has been spying on me through a ring." Raven looked around and noticed Snape standing at the other end of the courtyard. "Why? How? Oh my gosh! This day can't get any worse."

"Raven, I don't know what's going on. But father feels that you need to be watched more closely."

"WHY? HE SEEMS TO BE DOING ALL THE WATCHING FOR YOU!" Everyone in the courtyard turned to look at Raven. She bent over and got real close to Draco's face. "If I ever catch you spying on me, I will break you then go after your father. I am not anyone's little puppy dog that needs to be watched. Do me a favor, and just steer clear of me for a while."

Raven stood straight and took a couple of steps away when Draco's voice stopped her. "Can't do that. I know that through that ring we are bound to a marriage contract. We are to be married whether you like it or not. So steering clear won't be an option."

"Can you honestly tell me that you‘re happy with this contract?"

"It says I‘ll marry you. Why wouldn‘t I be happy?"

Raven got up close to Draco and stared in his eyes. “Way to lie to me, Draco.”

"I‘m not lying. I love you, Raven. This contract, our relationship is a good thing."

“Then you can’t see the doubt that is all over you. You don’t want this.“ Raven tried desperately to get the ring off her finger but it didn't move. She felt the anger she had earlier in the day return ten-fold. "Your daddy is paranoid, that‘s why he sent you that letter. He knows that I know. Give your father a message for me, be scared. As for you, heed my advice; stay away from me!"

She walked away feeling more sure of herself than she has in weeks. But the warmth she felt from Draco touching the ring turned into pain. She began to hear a voice in her head.

I don‘t care if you know. You will marry him. You won’t win.

"You picked the wrong girl!" she said to the voice.

As she walked she stormed by Snape who grabbed her by the arm. "My office, now!"

Raven jerked her arm away and began walking with him to his office. Something about all of this seemed so familiar. The same voice in her head was getting stronger and louder; repeating the same thing repeatedly. The pain in her body was increasing with every step.

She got to her uncle's office and stood in the doorway while Snape walked over towards his desk. She took two steps and collapsed onto the floor.

OMG! I just caught up and I must say I LOVE IT!!! I love how draco and raven are splitting up and george and raven are getting back together even though draco and raven have that love potion thing...PAMS!
~Lauren~

Oh my gosh! That was soooooo good!!!
Awe, I feel so bad for George having to watch all of this and for Raven having to live through it...
Haha, I liked this bit too Heck, I liked all of it
They aren't manipulating her, they're telling the truth! Gah! I hope they find a way out of this soon.
Hehe, I love her temper. It's pretty awesome!
We'll see about that, Lucius!
Oh no! Not all of this again! I hope they can find a way out of this contract soon!
Fantastic post! I loved it! PLEASE PAMS!!

Hey my Curlzy!!
I have finally got caught up!
And I have to say, I really hate
Old Man Malfoy! I am so glad that
George is always there for her. Keep
up the awesome work!!

Love Ya!!
Jamers

Alright, Raven!
FIGHT THE POWER!
Is she finally starting to fight this potion?
I hope she is! The flower proves it!
I can't wait for the next postie!
ILY
Abi... xox

all i can say is, Brava! Great chapter, and i can't wait to see what happens next!!

PAMS!

Suzy

Yay for George, the flower, and everything helping Raven get herself back. So to speak.

*smites Lucius yet again, and kicks Draco for good measure* Okay, I feel a little better now.

PAMS!

Go george and yay for reven for standing up to lucius. PAMS!

This story is amazing I love to hear more of it

Chapter 36

Raven was startled to find herself in a maze surrounded by bushes. She felt a sense of urgency and panic rush through her body. She knew she had to find someone and quick, but didn’t know who.

She found herself running as fast as she could, trying to find whatever it is she was supposed to be looking for. When she got further into the maze, she was stopped by a sphinx. It would not let her pass.

“All of the others, who have passed through, have been given a riddle. You have a different purpose than them. Your purpose is greater. The answer to my riddle is spider. Remember this when the time comes.”

“So that’s it? You’re just going to give me the answer.” Raven was confused. What purpose did the sphinx know that she had? More importantly, what was her purpose?

“Yes. You’re purpose will be revealed to you when the time comes. In the meantime, pass through and seek what you are looking for.”

“What am I looking for?”

“You will know.”

The sphinx stepped aside and Raven hesitantly walked through to the next part of the maze. Rounding a few corners, she saw a bright light. She couldn’t explain how she knew, but she knew she had to get to that light and as she got closer she saw two figures standing near it.

They can’t touch the light, she thought. She ran as fast as she could toward the two figures. As Raven got closer, she saw that the two figures were about to touch what was at the center of the light. She screamed out “no” as loud as she could. They didn’t hear her and the light was quickly gone.

Raven walked up slowly to the place where the light came from. She stared at the plinth from where the light emitted. Something told her to touch it. Raven cautiously stretched out her hand and placed her hand upon the platform. At first she felt nothing. The moment she was going to pull her hand away, a surge of emotions swirled around her; confusion, anger, and fear. Then the feeling of death came over her. She tired to pull her hand away in fear but she couldn’t.

“I wanna leave. I wanna leave.”

“Raven! Raven!” called out a voice.

“I wanna leave.”

“Raven!”

Raven quickly opened her eyes. She was startled to find herself in Snape’s office with her uncle kneeling next to her.

“What were you dreaming about?” he asked, helping her up.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean? Why did you want to leave?”

“I felt death. But I couldn’t leave. They wouldn’t let me leave.”

“Who wouldn’t let you leave?”

“I don’t know.” Raven didn’t know what caused the feeling she was having. All she knew was that she had to remember the answer to the riddle that the sphinx gave her.

Snape walked over to his desk and pulled out a chair for her to sit in. He poured her a glass of water and sat it down on the desk. Raven walked over to the chair and sat. She grabbed the glass of water and took a small sip.

“Why am I here?” she asked.

“I think we should talk about this dream.”

“What is there to talk about?” she couldn’t explain something she didn’t understand herself.

“Was it a vision?” he seemed persistent.

“I don’t know. It could just be a bad dream.”

“Is it the same one you’ve been having all year?”

Raven looked up at him bewildered at his question. “All year? I’ve had this before?”

“I don’t know if it’s the same one. You wouldn’t talk about it before and it looks like you aren’t going to talk about it now.”

Raven wondered why she didn’t talk to him about her dream. But he was right. She wasn’t about to start now.

“I called you in here because I wanted to know what your quarrel with Draco was about.”

Raven’s mind was still on the dream. It took her a minute to remember the argument. “Oh, that. He told me about the contract and the ring. I told him to stay away from me.”

“Can you stay away from him?” Snape was referring to the potion, which Raven caught on to right away.

“Don’t know…haven’t tried. Everything is telling me to stay away but my heart doesn‘t want to.”

There was a small pause between the two of them. Raven’s thoughts drifted from her dream and from Draco, to the conversation with Dumbledore a couple of weeks ago.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the conversation in Dumbledore’s office.”

Snape only looked at her with a curious expression.

“Did Voldemort know about me?

Snape’s face turned whiter than usual. “Why do you ask?”

“Did he know that one of his Death Eaters married the daughter of the woman to whom he vowed that someone in her bloodline would be his?”

“Yes, he knew that Tobias married your mother.”

Raven didn’t like hearing that answer. “Then he did know about me.”

“He knew the moment that Persephone found out that she was pregnant. He stayed quiet about it until it was close to time for her to give birth.”

“What did he do?”

“He gathered some of his Death Eaters, including me and Lucius. He told us that he had a mission for us to find you and bring you to him. I was torn. I couldn’t let him take you away from my brother. At the same time, I couldn’t betray my master.

“Once I received my mission, I went to my brother and told him what I had to do. I told him he had to flee. He took Persephone who was days away from giving birth and took her to a secluded area in northern England. She gave birth after two days and died hours later. The Ministry came and completed their report on your mother’s death and your birth. The next day, your father took you to America and made me promise not to tell a soul where you were.”

“So, that’s the real reason why we fled.” Raven let what he had to say sink into her thoughts. “Wait. Voldemort is a skilled Legilimens. How were you able to tell him the truth without getting caught? I mean…I know you are an equally skilled Occlumens but, are you that good?”

“He never found your whereabouts, did he? Lucius and I arrived at the house after everyone fled. The Dark Lord was enraged but stuck to his promise. He said that you would be found one day and you would be part of his plans.”

“You disobeyed Voldemort…for me? Why?”

“I was one of his most trusted followers. But I couldn’t let him take you from your father. Especially when I found out days later in a coded letter that your father was grieving the loss of his wife.”

“So you have a heart inside that tough exterior.” Raven couldn’t imagine how hard that choice must have been for Severus. He risked his life for her and her father.

“I care about what happens to you.”

“But if Voldemort returns and finds out that you deceived him, he’ll kill you.”

“I’ll deal with that when the day comes. Right now it’s the least of my worries. At the moment, I’m concerned with getting you out of this predicament.”

Raven nodded. “At least you’re trying.” She stood up and started walking towards the door. Raven opened the door and turned back to her uncle. “I just want to say thanks.”

“For what?”

“All of this. For rescuing me when I was too young to remember. For being there for my father when he needed you the most. You’re helping me now…thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Snape looked as though that was hard to say.

Raven left her uncle’s office and noticed that it was dinner time. She proceeded to head to the Great Hall. So much was coming at her at once; her dream, the ring, the contract, now Voldemort. But there was a small amount of comfort knowing that Snape was actually trying to help her.

She rounded the corner that led to the main staircase when she noticed Professor Moody walking toward her.

“Miss Snape, how are you today?” he asked, his eye looking at her as though it was piercing her soul.

“I’m fine, Professor.” Raven hated being in his class. She hated talking to him even more.

“I was wondering if you have given any more thought to the vision you had when we spoke last.”

“I honestly don’t even remember what you are talking about.” Raven did remember talking with Moody, but with everything that has happened she put it so far into the back of her mind that she barely remembered it.

“You had a vision. You saw someone and I was wondering who it was.”

“If I see someone that you know in a vision, and I don’t know them, how can I know who it is?” Raven tried to walk away, but Moody stopped her.

“Miss Snape, I really need to know who this person is. Maybe if you could describe him to-“

“Look Professor, I’m hungry and had a very hard day. I just want to eat and go to bed.”

“I would like to know.”

Moody grabbed her hand with the ring on it and Raven tried to pull away but before she could get her hand out of his grasp, she had a flash of a man. He had fair hair and his skin was pale. He was speaking to a woman in a cold, dark place. Raven assumed it was Azkaban considering the bars on the windows and the door. Then there was a flash to the same man in a home under an invisibility cloak being cared for by a house elf. Her last flash was the man standing in front of Professor Moody. Nothing was happening. They were just standing there, staring each other down.

Raven jumped out of her vision and walked a few steps back from Moody.

“What? What did you see?” Moody seemed almost frantic.

“I don’t know who this person is. You know him, he has blond-ish hair and he knows someone in Azkaban or is in Azkaban. He’s probably a Death Eater that you nabbed while you were an Auror or just someone who knows him. Why do you want to know so badly?”

“People have a way of turning up when you least expect it.”

“Um…okay.” That statement bothered her. If he was a Death Eater, the last thing she wanted was for him to turn up. She looked at him strangely and started to walk away. “Well, I need to go now. Good evening, Professor.”

“Yes, evening to you. And if you ever figure out who this person is, you’ll let me know, right?”

“You’ll be the only one who’ll care.”

“Exactly.”

Raven did a double take at the professor. She was confused as to why Moody was so eager to find out who this person was.

She finally made it to the Great Hall and just in time. Dinner was just served. George and Fred sat on the other side of the table from her and a few seats down. Every once in a while, George would glance over and Raven. Raven would look over at him casually as to not upset Draco who was sitting on the other side of the hall staring at George with jealousy evident on his face.

Hermione came over and sat next to Harry which was across from Raven. Raven and Hermione looked at each other as though they wanted to break down and apologize to each other for their argument earlier in the day, but were afraid to make the first move.

“Man, Hermione, where have you been? If you had gotten here any later, Ron would have eaten your share,” Raven joked. Hermione looked up at Raven and when Raven gave her a bit of a wink the two smiled and knew at that moment all was forgiven between the two.

After dinner, Hermione and Raven walked out of the Great Hall together with Ron and Harry lingering behind.

“We’re okay now, right?” Raven asked Hermione.

“Yes.” Hermione wrapped her arm around her friend. “You seem like you’re better now?”

“I am. I’ve just had a lot on my mind the past couple of weeks. I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations out on you. I really am sorry.”

“It’s okay. I know you are. Is there…anything you want to talk about?”

“Actually, yes. But we need to go somewhere private. There are too many ears around here.”

Hermione nodded and when the two got to their common room, they went straight to the dormitory. Most of the students went either to the library or stayed down in the common room to study, so they knew that any talk they had wouldn’t be interrupted.

“I can’t go into what all has been happening lately. That’s for another day. But I was wondering if you have ever had any…questions about Professor Moody?”

Hermione gave Raven a perplexed look. “His teaching methods are unorthodox, and it does seem that his name is quite fitting, but I’ve never questioned him. What exactly do you mean?”

“Do you ever get the feeling that there is something about him that isn’t…right? I mean, do you ever get the feeling that he’s hiding something?”

“Can’t say that I have. At the same time, I’m not a Legilimens like you. Why are you asking?”

“I think Moody is hiding a big secret. I can’t make out what it is, but I had a vision with him when he touched my hand tonight before dinner. There was a man, I don’t know who he is, but he was in Azkaban then out of Azkaban and then he was standing face to face with Moody. I haven’t quite got my Seer abilities down, but I’m positive I can’t see memories of someone, if they weren’t around. And it was only in that last flash that Moody was around.”

“Wait…back up. You’re a Seer?”

“Oh, yeah.” Raven forgot that she hadn’t told her friends about her family’s past. “I found out my grandmother was one and I possess the same abilities that she did. Dumbledore wants me to take private lessons from Trelawney next year.”

“You’re kidding! Her? Dumbledore thinks she’s credible enough to give private lessons?”

“I don’t know, but back to the point. I need help with this. Moody is so adamant about figuring out who this person is. I get the feeling of desperation when he talks about it. Like I’m on to him or something, but I’m not. Does that make sense?”

“It does actually. Harry talks to him a lot. Maybe you should talk to him.”

“I would really like to keep this between the two of us, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.” Hermione didn’t seem too thrilled about keeping things from her friends.

“Thanks, Hermione. I really appreciate it.”

Just then Parvati burst through the door. “Raven! There you are!”

“Where’s the emergency, Parvati? What’s going on?” Raven asked.

“Draco is harassing a bunch of first years outside of the portrait hole. He says he has to speak with you now or he’s going to start hexing them.”

Raven rolled her eyes. “So, Draco is holding a couple of kids hostage and there was nothing you could do? Why didn’t you hex him?”

“Hex Draco? Are you serious?” Parvati looked appalled at the thought.

“Fine, Parvati. Please don’t get your hands dirty, you might break a nail.” Raven sighed and got up; she turned her head slightly to roll her eyes at Hermione in irritation of Parvati’s delicate nature.

Raven went through the portrait hole and saw Draco with his wand pointed at a couple of first years. “Do you have nothing better to do with your time than picking on innocent first years?”

Draco lowered his wand and the first years immediately went through the portrait.

“What is your problem, Draco? Do you see your father’s plan for us to be married slipping away and you want desperately to make amends with me?”

“I think we need to deal with this.” Draco’s face looked angry but Raven sensed that he was heartbroken because they were fighting. “Raven, I still love you.”

“I…love you.” Raven realized what she said and re-gathered her focus. “But Draco, it’s not real. We are under the effects of a potion; a love potion. In reality, we hate each other. This love…it’s not real.”

“How can you say that?” Draco looked as though he had a bombshell dropped on him. But disbelief still surrounded him.

Raven pulled him off to the side and told him what she had learned of the potion. Part of her knew that what she was doing was a mistake, but at the same time, if Draco knew that he was under the effects of a potion, maybe he would leave her alone. At times during their conversation, Draco seemed angry, and then his emotions would turn to heartbreak.

“So what you’re saying is, father wanted to guarantee that we would be married so he put us both under a potion to make us fall madly in love?” Draco looked like he could barely stomach what he was saying.

“Yes.”

Draco grabbed her hands. “And you have no feelings for me at all?”

“I do but I know that I shouldn’t. This is all very hard and confusing for me too.” Raven put her hand on the side of Draco’s face. “We have to face the fact that this love we have is an illusion.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Raven caught a glimpse of George and Fred walking up the stairs. Out of instinct she looked over at them. Immediately after looking their direction, a piercing pain went through her hand. She doubled over and tried to scream but the pain was taking her breath away. Draco was trying to talk to her but Raven couldn’t respond. George, who heard Draco’s voice, ran over to find out what was going on. Raven could see George and Draco’s lips moving but she couldn’t hear their words. The only words she heard were the ones coming from inside her head.

You should have never told him. That mistake will cost you. Raven immediately recognized the voice as that of Lucius.

As quick as the pain came to her, it left. She was able to catch her breath and stand up. George and Draco immediately started fussing over her, asking if she was okay and what happened.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I need to rest. I’m going to go back to my room.” Raven adjusted her clothes and got the hair out of her face. “Draco, can you do me one favor.”

“Anything.”

“Give your father a message for me.” Raven reached into her pocket, pulled out a Knut and put it in Draco’s hand. “Give him this and tell him that this should cover the cost of my ‘mistake.’”

Haha I love that last paragraph and I love the chapter...I hope Georgie and raven get together again PAMS!