I am so sorry guys for the lack of an update in almost a month! I am on the home stretch here for being really busy, but I am hoping to have an update up next week

I couldn't stop my body from instinctively stiffening as Draco leaned back, looking around again to make sure that no one was trying to ease drop in the couple of moments he had let his guard down. After he was done his inspection, he turned to look at me again, fear in his eyes.

"What does he have planned for us?" I asked, my voice just above a whisper.

Draco shifted uncomfortably. "Killing Dumbledore."

"And how exactly does he think he's going to manage that?" I asked, raising my eyebrows slightly.

Draco was quiet, looking at me as if the answer was obvious. I stared at him for a couple of minutes, letting the knowledge sink in for a moment before it occurred to me. "Oh my god," I said, my hand going up to my mouth is shock. "Surely he hasn't...."

"Are you really that surprised? Surely you realize how furious he is for my father's failures," Draco spat out, the anger rising in his voice. I shot him a look to keep his voice down.

"Do you know where my mother is?" I asked.

"Securely under his wing," Draco said with a small shake of the head. "How come you never mentioned how powerful she is?"

"It's not just her power," I said, rubbing my face with my hands. "Something happened that has changed her. I'm guessing by your confused expression you don't know what that is."

Draco gave his head a little shake.

"It's not important....how exactly does he expect you to kill Dumbledore?"

"In whatever way I will be able to succeed," Draco said quietly.

"And if you don't succeed?" I asked him.

Draco looked up at me as if the answer was obvious. "I'll be dead."

I let out a sigh. I knew things were going to be complicated, but I had never imagined that Voldemort would actually give such a terrible assignment to someone so young. I looked at Draco and I could feel the amount of hope and anxiety that he had in his eyes. He wanted me to have a solution...he wanted me to have the answers, and the truth was that I didn't.

"We should go to Dumbledore," I said after a couple of minutes of silence.

"I can't do that...they are holding my mother hostage. If they so much as catch a hint that I've said something to someone, even you, they will kill her without a moment of hesitation."

I hated it, but Draco was right. If word got back to the Death Eaters that Dumbledore knew Draco was trying to kill him, not only would his mother be dead but he would be too. The only thing saving his father was his spot in Azkaban, but I figured that it wouldn't be too hard to have him killed in there either. I let out another sigh, biting my lower lip.

"Please Abby...you have to help me. You're the only one that can help me." Draco reached out and grabbed a hold of my arms so that I was forced to look at him.

"Don't worry...I'm going to help you. I just...we just need to figure out what's the right way to go about this..."

Draco kept his grasp on my arms as I looked at the ground, trying to figure out what I was going to do. I had to tell Dumbledore...Dumbledore would know how to go about this. Surely he would know how to find a way to stop this without Draco or his family getting hurt. They were Death Eaters, but that didn't mean that I wanted them to die.

"He's...he's got plans for you," Draco whispered.

I shifted my gaze to look at him. "Plans?"

"For you and your mother. I...I heard things over the summer about...you...and your gifts."

I stared at him. "What did he do to your mother?"

"He bounded himself to her," I said quietly.

Draco stared at me. "You can't bind yourself to Harry Abby."

My eyebrows furrowed slightly. "How do you know what that is?"

"I hear things," Draco said, annoyed that I was choosing to focus on this. "Just...promise me you won't bind yourself to Harry Abby. Please."

"Draco, what do you know?"

Before he could answer, we were cut off by the long, drawn voice of Professor Snape.

"What are you two doing under here?"

Oooooh! I like it! Wonderful post!
I wonder how Abby may alert Dumbledore without getting anyone killed. I can't wait to find out. Great character on her part for, though she doesn't like Malfoy, she doesn't want him dead. Great job!
-Rachel

Hey Allison, great chapters! I keep checking to see if you posted a new chapter and realized I hadn't commented yet. Anyway, I am quite anxious to read how you get through the rest of the book. When Harry let Dumbledore know about Draco having the Dark Mark, and his suspicions about him; Dumbledore gave him the brush off. (grrrrrr I was so mad at him for that.) He can't brush them off because Draco wouldn't make up a story like that and tell Dumbledore, so he'd have to believe him. And yet if he says he knows about it, then how would he keep up the subterfuge? But Abby is correct in thinking they should tell Dumbledore.

I love how you wrote this; I love your writing, what can I say?

Great writing Allison, love your ff. I'll be watching for your next chapter.

Thank you guys so much for your lovely comments and my deepest apologies for not posting a reply in ages! The end of this semester was a bit brutal in terms of work this semester so I hardly had any time to get on SS at all! I am planning on having an update up either tomorrow or Sunday though

Draco quickly moved away from me at the sound of the all too familiar voice. I could sense the rage and frustration coming off of him...Snape had been trying to offer his assistance to Draco who had been furiously turning it down. I was trying to get into Draco's mind to try and figure out what exactly Snape had been offering to do for him, but Draco's emotions and anger was too strong for me to be able to get a clear reading from him.

"What does it matter to you if too students want to chat under the bleachers?" Draco snapped. "It's not like we are in class or something."

I was silent, staring at Snape to try and gage his reaction to Draco's uncharacteristic outburst towards a teacher. He didn't seem to care. Instead he kept his eyes on me.

"You're right Mr. Malfoy it really is none of my business what you choose to do during your free time, but it is my duty to make sure that the students are safe, and standing under wooden bleachers that could possibly, under certain circumstances, collapse under the weight of all the professors and students is certainly not the brightest thing to be doing. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Whatever," Draco snapped back.

"Why don't you go along to the Quidditch game Mr. Malfoy and possibly you can save your new friend a seat. I need to discuss something with her first."

Draco shot a look at me, panic starting to creep through the anger and I shook my head slightly. Within this confined area with only the three of us I didn't want to risk sending something to Draco's mind that Snape could easily get himself. After all my mind was safe from Snape's prying, but Draco's certainly wasn't. I stood there as Draco stormed past Snape, Snape not even bothering to watch him go. There was silence as the two of us stood there, me waiting for him to speak first since he was the one that wanted to talk to me.

"What were you and Draco discussing?"

"Potions homework," I said with a shrug.

"Do not lie to me Miss Carson. What were you two discussing?"

"Potions homework, and even if it was something different what makes you think I would tell you?"

Before I even realized what was happening Snape took one giant step, almost swooping in front of me so that there was literally less than an inch between our faces. There was solid anger and annoyance in his face, a kind that I had never seen before, and instinctively I felt myself clench, lightly grabbing onto the wooden pole behind me for support.

"Do not mistake me for a fool. What you and Draco have been discussing is my business, and if you think for one moment that you can somehow handle the predicament he has brought to you by yourself with the pathetic help our your obnoxious trio then you are sadly mistaken," Snape spat, slow and cold at my face.

"I would appreciate it if you would step back," I let out just as coldly.

"Not until you tell me what the two of you were discussing."

"I told you I am not going to tell you."

My words made Snape even angrier than he had been moments ago, and in a rage of fury he slammed me more firmly against the wooden pole, holding me there with his shoulder. So shocked and scared that a professor was using physical force against me, my survival instincts kicked in over drive.

"GET OFF OF ME!" I yelled.

Snape was about to respond but froze, mid way into his mouth forming a word. I could feel my hands started to harden from the ice that was forming around them, my breathing getting faster as Snape took a couple of stumbles backwards. He put his hand up to his throat, much in the same way that Professor Umbridge had held her own the year before. I could tell that I needed to stop, that Professor Snape had backed off and that I had gotten my message across, but the emotion held me there. The power held me there. I took a step closer to him as Snape fell back into the wooden pole behind him. I could see the ice crystals starting to form around his hand, the cool blue that his skin color was turning working but towards the bottom of his chin.

Professor Snape was trying to speak but his throat was far too cold and frozen for him to get anything out. In that moment I had never felt anything like it. I had never felt the amount of power that I was feeling in that moment; the energy and emotion draining from Snape and leaving him helpless. In that moment I became aware of a whole new feeling...vengeance. Finally after all these years of dealing with Snape prying into my powers, constantly trying to invade my mind, he was feeling the consequences of it. I was finally able to stop him and make him see that I wasn't going to take it anymore.

It's okay Abby...make him feel your anger. He is nothing compared to you. His magic is nothing compared to your own.

"Abby you must stop!"

The feel of fingers wrapping around my shoulder and squeezing pulled me out of my trance. I turned to see Professor McGonagall, staring at me with concerned eyes with Dumbledore behind her, quickly kneeling down next to a gasping Professor Snape.

I couldn't speak. What had I done? What would I have done if she hadn't come? And why was the menacing voice that was prompting me to kill him my mother's?

Fantastic post!
I honestly have no idea what to say!
-Rachel

Hey Allison, what a fantastic post! Why can't Snape just mind his own business? My goodness he's a character! When Abby hears her mother while she's being venegful, does she hear the voice of her own concience, or will she when she becomes more in tuned to her powers? She is so dangerous right now. And one more thing; I'm wondering if Draco is trying to egg her on so she'll get in trouble and be out of the way of what he has to do. Great work Allison, I'll be watching for your next.

Thank you both for your lovely comments! I'm glad that you guys are liking the story so much

I was beginning to feel like I was spending more time in Dumbledore's office than anywhere else at the castle. The walk from the Quidditch pitch to his office had gone in a blur. Professor McGonagall had her arm wrapped firmly around my shoulder the entire walk, holding me to her as if she was afraid she might lose me if she let go. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick had come running behind McGonagall, before Professor Slughorn came lagging behind, a look of concern and uncertainty on his face. I hadn't watched as they had levitated Professor Snape and began steering him towards the castle, but I could see the image of his face in the thoughts of those around me, and they made me cringe. I had gone too far. I knew if Professor McGonagall hadn't come when she did, there was a very good chance that he would be dead. What had I done...

I leaned my head into my hand, my elbow resting on the arm of the chair as Professor McGonagall stood beside me, her hand firmly on my shoulder. She didn't think that I was going to try to run, but she also had some reservations, and she wasn't going to risk anything happening while under her watch. She really didn't need to worry though. I was not going anywhere...

I didn't even bother to look up as the door behind us swung open, someone in mid sentence as they entered the room. I kept my head down as Professor came around the corner and sat down at his desk chair, the now familiar voice of Professor Flitwick reaching my ears. Even though the man was still in mid thought Professor Dumbledore waved his hand and he stopped speaking instantly. The entire room was dead silent, including the portraits that had been mumbling to one another when it was just Professor McGonagall and I in the room. I was going to be expelled. I nearly killed a professor...how could I not be expelled? This thought also flashed through the mind of someone in the room, but I couldn't tell whom. A couple of people had come in behind Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick, but they were completely silent and I could tell from their general essence that they were being completely serious.

"Abby," Professor Dumbledore said softly.

At the sound of my name I looked up at the man. I was sure I looked terrible. My whole body was still freezing, making my skin even paler looking than normal. It had never taken me this long to get back to a normal temperature, and I wasn't entirely sure why, but now hardly seemed like the time to ask.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked.

Professor McGonagall gave my hand a little squeeze of encouragement.

"I was under the bleachers talking to Draco Malfoy," I said quietly. "We were getting ready to head up to the stands when Professor Snape stopped us. He wanted to know what Draco and I were talking about, so I told him, but he didn't believe me. He wouldn't let me leave, and I was frightened, and it just...happened."

Everyone is the room was staring at me, waiting for me to continue but that was all that I had to say. "Did he physically try to stop you?" Dumbledore asked.

I nodded. "He pushed me against one of the wooden poles."

Dumbledore nodded softly.

"Are you really going to believe her word?" a man behind me asked. I didn't recognize the voice, but I was too nervous to turn around and look at him. Luckily for me the man took a couple of steps forward so that he was more in front of me. "Severus Snape has never had any complaints made against him in the past, and is incredibly professional. Unless she has someone to back up her story, I'm inclined to believe this is a lie."

The man was tall, maybe around six feet five inches, and was wearing a long, black cloak like some members of the ministry wear. He had blonde hair that had streaks of dark brown in it, and beady brown eyes that were so dark they were almost black. His face was structured in such a way that he could have been carved out of stone, but his complexion was deeper than nearly everyone in the room. He had gloves on his hands which I couldn't help were shaped into fists. I shifted in my chair somewhat uncomfortably.

"Innocent until proven guilty," Professor Dumbledore said, eyeing the man somewhat skeptically. "No one here is questioning Severus's professional mannerisms, but at the same time Abby is not someone that would harm or act in such a way if it hadn't been necessary, or at least if she hadn't felt it necessary."

"Well then she can give us her memory of the event so that we can see it," he said taking another step forward.

"Is that really necessary. Why don't we at least wait until Severus is awake so that we can see what he has to say," Professor McGonagall retorted back, shooting the man a nasty look.

"No one..." the man started but was stopped by the second man coming up and putting his arm on the man's shoulder.

"Now, now, Thorus, there's no reason to get rash. Minerva brings up a good point. We'll wait for Severus to wake up, alright?"

This second man was built and looked nearly identical to the Thorus, but his hair was a strawberry blonde color. I assumed from their demeanor that the two were brothers, and unlike his brother his voice was sickeningly sweet rather than deep and throaty.

"We'll just head on down to the hospital wing to see how Severus is doing, and once he's awake and we've heard of his side of things, we'll come back up with any further questions we may have," the man continued, giving Dumbledore a friendly smile.

"Thank you Reverus," Dumbledore said softly. "Professor Flitwick perhaps you would be kind enough to show Thorus and Reverus where the Hospital Wing is?"

Professor Flitwick made a little nod of the head before leading the two brothers out of the room, closing the door behind him with a flick of his wand as they went. I kept my eyes on Professor Dumbledore who looked like he was going run after the men and cast a horribly unpleasant spell on them.

"Abby, we don't have much time. I need you to come with me."

Oooohhh, fantastic post!
I wonder what those two are up to and what in the world is going to happen and why Dumbledore hates them so much. Death eater relations maybe?
Can't wait to find out what happens!
-Rachel

From all of Gringotts Goblins (and a special shout out from me!) Happy New Year! May 2012 allow your creativity to soar to new heights just like the dragon the year represents

I've always loved your writing, just in case I never told you that outright Keep those updates coming!

Aww, thank you so much Katherine! It means a lot And thank you for all your lovely comments Rachel

I was out of my chair as soon as the words let Professor Dumbledore's mouth. I had no idea where he was planning on taking me, but it was obviously somewhere incredibly important. He walked down the small set of steps behind his desk, and I followed, Professor McGonagall closing up the rear. I stood there, wondering if he was going to take me through the same tunnel he'd taken me through before.

"Am I leaving Hogwarts?" I ask him.

"Yes. It is no longer safe for you here I am afraid," Professor Dumbledore whispered back. I watched him as he pulled out his wand, strategically hitting three points around the wall in front of us. I waited, assuming this was another way to get the tunnel to reveal itself, but to my surprise nothing happened. Well...at least at first it seemed like nothing was happening until suddenly I felt the walls on either side of us turn to cement. We were going underground.

It was only a matter of moments before the cement block stopped. We stood there, me waiting for something to happen, and literally right after the thought the walls began to turn, continually going until a door way was revealed in front of us. I couldn't help my eyebrows from going up slightly as I spotted a completely furnished living room, much like the look of the Gryffindor Common Room.

Dumbledore led to me into the small area, gesturing that I should take a seat on the couch as he pointed his wand at the fire place, illuminating the stone room with the bright flames. "I am afraid you are going to need to stay here for a little while," Professor Dumbledore said after a few moments of silence.

"What is happening?" I ask him.

"I believe that Voldemort is attempting to create scenarios where you will have to be expelled from Hogwarts. While your incident with Professor Snape was obviously unintentional, somehow the word traveled back to him. I believe he was hoping that his death eaters stationed in the ministry would be able to haul you off themselves, and once alone with them they would end you life."

I still completely still, Professor McGonagall herself gripping the back of the arm chair in front of her for support.

"How do you know this for sure Albus?" McGonagall finally manages to get out.

"Severus warned me that he felt Voldemort had something intended for Abby. He is still trying to figure out what exactly he is planning on doing with Abby's mother, but he knows for sure that Voldemort sees Abby as a major hindrance on his plan to get to Harry."

I let out a little sigh. I looked at Dumbledore. Now was the time to tell him about the incident with Draco.

"When I attacked Professor Snape," I started, clearing my throat slightly. "I was meeting with Draco Malfoy before. He told me that Voldemort has given him the assignment to kill you."

Dumbledore stared at me, waiting for me to continue. "I am afraid I already know this from Severus, but the fact that Draco is turning to you for help makes me feel even more powerfully that he does not want to kill me."

"Of course he doesn't want to kill you," I said, surprised that Dumbledore was even having doubts about this. "Draco may be a lousy individual but he is not a murderer. I think his hands are probably very tied."

"Oh yes, they are," said Dumbledore with a nod. "I have no doubt that he's not a murderer, but given the right pressure I believe he would kill me.

"I beg to disagree," I say with a stern stare.

"Perhaps that's why he's come to you. Did he tell you anything else?"

"He told me not to bind myself to Harry, and that Voldemort has plans for my mother and I."

Suddenly a look of deep concern was on Dumbledore's face.

"What?"

"I believe that Voldemort intends to have your mother kill you."

Wow... powerful last statement there.
Great post!
This make it quite a bit more interesting now. Makes me wonder about a great many things, like if the others will know where she is, how she will continue schooling, and how this mess is going to be resolved.
Great job!
-Rachel

Hey Allison, great story telling! I'm so wanting for you to write more right away. Abby has to deal with so much, I can't imagine what she feels like wondering if her mother has any feelings of love for her, and if maybe she finds herself wondering if her mother can't somehow be saved from Voldemort. So sad!

How is Harry holding up these days? Will he know where Abby is being hidden? Oh, stupid me Why would Dumbledore risk Abby's life by telling him when Voldemort can so easily get in his head. I guess I was just feeling sensitive to him for his feelings for her.

Great work Allison, I'll be watching for your next post. Hope it's soon.

Hey guys! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and my sincerest apologies for it taking me so long to update. Real life has not been allowing me much time for creative writing

I sat very still as the words let Dumbledore's mouth. It had been one thing at the time when I found out that now the only way to save Harry and kill Voldemort would be to kill my mother. It seemed like a burden that would be placed entirely on me without any real concern for my mother or anything. In fact perhaps once I could make my mother realize what had happened and what these actions meant, they could work together to find a way around it. Perhaps it had been silly that I had been maintaining such a hope when clearly there was no room for it. By now that I knew my mother was coming after me for the sole purpose to kill me, the miniscule glimmer of hope that I had been clinging to with my dear life was gone. I didn't know how to express this words to Dumbledore, but I knew he could tell for for the first time in my life he had reached out his hand and had tightly secured my own in it.

"I wish Abby that there was something that I could do to change these matters. To somehow make these things better for you or somehow reverse the true evil that Voldemort has inflicted upon your family, but unfortunately that is not within my power. I can only hope that my complete and utter care for you will be something to at least mildly help you mend with this information," Dumbledore whispered softly to me.

"I concur on that statement," chimed in Professor McGonagall and just as softly.

"Thank you," was all I managed to get out between my lips with much effort. It seemed like forever that the three of us sat there with nothing being passed between us other than the grim future rushing towards us faster than we had time to emotionally and mentally prepare for. I did not know how a daughter was able to find the strength to take away the mother that brought her into the world, but I could also not understand how a woman could be so blinded by something that would allow her to take the only daughter she ever had away from it.

"What will I do now?" I finally asked, realizing that thinking along these lines was not something that I could afford to do. I had allowed myself those moments of feeling the situation, but now it was time to shut them off completely. It was the only way that I was going to be able to make it through this whole event without losing my mind or my sanity.

"You will stay here for the moment. I have a feeling that our friends are not going to want to leave without you, and it is going to take a bit of work to make them see that this is not an option," said Dumbledore with a grim smile.

"Are you going to kill them sir?" I asked.

"I would rather not, but I do not believe that anyone would miss them other than the very death eaters that sent them here," replied Dumbledore even more gravely.

"Can you obliviate them?" I asked.

"It is going to my first attempt but unfortunately I am sure that they are not going to...what is the expression...go quietly?"

"Let me at least help you," I pleaded. "I don't want you to have to do this on account of me."

"No, no, Miss Carson, you are far too important to lose to such block heads as those," Dumbledore said, attempting a smile as he spoke.

I attempted to give him one back, and though it was perhaps even more feeble than his I could tell that he appreciated the effort. "I ask that you stay here until I come back for you, and when I do we will determine further plans of action. For now however, this is the safest place in the world for you."

I gave a nod, realizing it was pointless to argue further, and with the Dumbledore gave my hand one more squeeze before they both withdrew, the stone wall moving and closing the open space behind them. I sat there staring at the wall that they had just walked out of for a couple of moments, the tears that had so far been down in my chest threatening to rise but I would not allow them.

I did not sleep and I did not eat despite the bits of food that magically appeared at the table behind me for what was at least two days. I sat staring at the fire in front of me that magically never seemed to lose its flame, my body as rigid as the stone walls that surrounded me. I hadn't realized that through the course of my attempting to eliminate all feeling towards my mother that I had made the room significantly cooler, the couch around me sporting a thin layer of ice across it. It was in this position that the stone wall finally began to creep open. Instinctively, as if the sound were a signal that I needed to fear for my life, I was up and off of the couch, my wand pointing firmly at the open space.

To my relief it was only Dumbledore who definitely had a more pleasant look about him than he had had when he first brought me here. I lowered my wand, telling by the look on his face that I had not faired to look so well. His eyes drifted to the condition of the couch, noticing it but choosing not to comment.

"You may come back Abby," Dumbledore said with a small smile.

"What happened?" I asked.

"It seems upon speaking to Professor Snape that the men changed their mind about needing to acquire you. For you see Professor Snape did not want to pursue any action, and seeing as there is a bit of leniency in the law about phoenix animagi learning to control their abilities, they were willing to let the matter slide."

I stared at Dumbledore understanding that this was what they had convinced the men to believe with what I was sure was to be quite a powerful obliviate charm plus something to make them believe this new story. With a small nod I walked towards him, stepping into the open gap before following him along the walkway that would lead back to Dumbledore's office. We were silent for the whole walk and when I caught sight of the door Dumbledore shortly grabbed a hold of my arm.

"I will be frank with you Abby because I feel that this is a matter that I must be frank about. I know that it is perhaps difficult for you to comprehend how you are going to manage the possibility of killing your own mother. I cannot imagine how you are also going to handle the knowledge that this same woman wants to end your life. But you know my feelings as I said before when I gave you the news. I would just like to say Abby that no matter what happens Voldemort will believe that you have already made the bind to Harry and I am afraid that nothing you or I will say or do will convince him otherwise. That being said, I leave the choice to you whether you want to carry out that process. I will not stop you if you choose it and I will not look down on you if you choose not to. It must be entirely your choice. However, I will tell you that with this series of events I would not doubt it that you will now be number one on Voldemort's list to kill because he will believe that you are in his way. I do ask that you keep that in mind as time goes on, and prepare yourself for what exactly that means."

I stared at Dumbledore for a couple of moments, the feelings of sorrow, regret, and grief consuming the small amount of space around us as we stood there, his grip on my arm tightening slightly.

"It is the saddest thing to me when I see people ripped so forcefully from their childhood before their proper time. You have been forced to grow up too fast Abby, as have your friends, and I am afraid that you may never get the chance to be young again."

"It's alright Professor Dumbledore," I replied after a couple minutes of silence. "Choice is the only thing that he can't take from us. Choice is the one thing that no matter young or old, you will always get to keep."

Dumbledore gave me the warmest smile he could before he released my arm and we continued through the pathway. He pushed open the door, moving through first before moving aside so that I could see Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing in his office waiting for me. Harry stepped forward, all the emotions I was feeling coursing through his own veins, and with two swift steps I was in his arms, the place that I would always choose to be.

Great post!
Last line is absolutely adorable. I'd want to be in his arms too. I'm sure it must be a great relief to all of them that she is back.
Poor Abby, that really has to be tough. It's gotta be super scary and there's gotta be so many emotions running through her. I can't even imagine. Well, I give all my luck to her (and to you writing her )
-Rachel

Abby! She is just wonderful! You know, a true Gryffindor!

The thought of killing the woman who gave you birth or being killed yourself by your own mother is terrifying, to say the least.. Abby is incredibly strong to bear this weight.

PAMS PAMS PAMS!!!

~Noopur

Thank you guys so much for the comments! I am glad that you are liking it so much, and yeah, Abby is definitely in a very emotionally trying situation right now. Hopefully she'll be able to keep it together.

It had been a couple of days since leaving the confines of my safe house as I had come to call it, and I still wasn't feeling much better about the situation. I could tell that Ron, Hermione, and Harry were doing everything in their power to try and make me feel better, and overall make the situation seem less daunting, but it wasn't working. In all honesty there really wasn't a way to make a situation like this better, but I appreciated that they were at least making the effort.

Our first Defense Against the Dark Arts class was difficult for me, since I hadn't seen Professor Snape since I had nearly killed him. I knew that he had made a huge step in backing me against the Death Eaters, and I knew that I owed him for it. Upon my sitting down after entering the classroom he merely looked upon me, returning a gentle incline of the head that I had given him with one of his own. Needless to say one on one meetings with Snape were not going to be happening in the future until I could get ahold of these new powers and my emotions. Secretly I had been trying to figure out how I could break the phoenix bond with my mother so that her thoughts to kill him would no longer come into my head. Of course given the complexity of the abilities phoenix animagi possessed, finding out how to do this was not discovered. It could probably also have something to do with the fact that based off of everything that I could find, no phoenix animagi pairing like this had ever existed. My mother and I were in the fact the first mother and daughter pairing to both possess phoenix animagi qualities at the same time.

I could tell that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were also trying to help me with the bigger problem of phoenix binding and possibly trying to find a way to get around having to kill my mother in order to get to Voldemort. It was an effort made in vain, but it was something that they felt was at least worth trying, and after a little I even found myself trying to find information with them. Of course I kept myself from getting hopeful, feeling that doing so would ruin the mental state I had managed to get myself into in those two days in my safe house. It was during one of our usual night sessions of reading that Professor Slughorn appeared at our table, admiring the books laid out across us curiously.

"Quite the studyers aren't we?" Professor Slughorn commented with a little chuckle.

"You can never read too much," returned Hermione with an attempt at a smile.

"Well, I am sure that every now and then it is good to take a little break Miss Granger. That being said I would like to extend my warmest invitation to you, Mr. Potter and Miss Carson to attend a little party I am hosting this Saturday."

Harry and I exchanged glances before I shifted focus to Ron who I could feel was feeling incredibly left out. I couldn't say that I entirely blamed him given the fact that Professor Slughorn had gotten into a good habit of completely ignoring Ron whenever Hermione, Harry, and I were around. Apparently Ron wasn't of enough skill to catch Professor Slughorn's attention, and one of these days I was determined to address Slughorn on that matter. After all Ron was a talented wizard, he just didn't always do a great job of showing it to people.

"I expect that I shall see you all there?" Professor Slughorn asked with a warm little smile.

"Yeah, sure Professor Slughorn," Harry managed to get out for us.

"Fantastic! I shall leave you to finish your studies then!"

And with that Slughorn was waddling off, giving curious looks to a couple of students that were looking at books in the various aisles. I couldn't help my raise my eyebrows to Harry slightly at his insistence that we would be there.

"Dumbledore has asked me to be close to Slughorn, and what better way to do that than by going to a party?"

We nodded, understanding what he meant. It was in that moment that I could feel an inner struggle and conflict growing within the person next to me. I looked at her out of the corner of my eye, not entirely sure as to why the conflict was there, but wanting to understand it better.

"Hermione, I think there's another book worth checking out. Come and help me find it will you?" I asked, sliding out my chair so that I could stand up.

"Of course," Hermione said, her thoughts too preoccupied to really understand what I was asking her. I guided her down the rows until I was sure we were out of ear shot, before leading her midway down the row and grabbing a random book.

"Alright, let it out."

"Let what out?" asked Hermione, slightly startled.

"Let out whatever it is that has made you so flustered. You might as well be flashing a neon sign that says help me in front of my face," I said, giving her a stern look.

"Oh, it's nothing," Hermione said with a small shake of the head.

"Obviously it is something."

Hermione looked down the aisle nervously before looking back at me and letting out a little sigh. "Oh, alright. I didn't really want to mention it, and neither did Harry since everything with your mother and that death eater business had just happened, but...well...Ron..." Hermione choked a little, like she was on the verge of tears. "Ron kissed Lavender," Hermione blurted out.

I couldn't stop my mouth from flying open like a door swinging off of its hinges. "Wait...when did this happen? And why? That girl is just...well...she's just...well you know how she is!" I replied with a furious wave of the hand, uncertain as to how to find the right words to accurately describe that weird girl.

"It was after Quidditch practice. Ron made a truly incredible save that everyone on the team was so impressed with that they decided to end the practice on that good note. As he was coming off the pitch Lavender came up gushing, you know, as she does, before she gave him a huge kiss on the lips...and...well...Ron returned it to say the least." Hermione had crossed her arms while she had been speaking, looking away from me in the hopes that I wouldn't notice the tears about to spill over her eyes.

"Listen to me Hermione, that whole thing is doomed from the start even if it does get started. Maybe right now Ron is just being a boy and enjoying the fact that a girl is throwing herself at him, but I assure you that it will not last. She will be a phase, I promise you that." Or I will make it be a phase.

"You think?" Hermione feebly muttered out.

"I know. Now...pull yourself together. We are going to get you a date to this dance that is going to make Ron realize that letting that git kiss him was the worst decision in his life."

Hermione gave a chuckle at this comment, and I pulled her into a tight hug. "No more tears over boys that are a bit slow on the uptake, yeah?" I said.

"Yeah," Hermione said. "Alright, let's go back."

Great post!
I'm glad Hermione has someone to talk to about everything. Abby is a good tension reliever.
-Rachel

Nice update!
I'm eager to see what happens at the 'unexpected' party..

PAMS

Thanks for the lovely comments guys!

Upon returning to the table we found Ron and Harry in their own deep conversation which was broken up the moment that Ron spotted us. We didn't ask what they had been speaking about and they hadn't asked us, but I got the sense from Ron that whatever the conversation had been about was something that warranted him feeling slightly awkward and embarrassed. The rest of the afternoon went quickly as did the two days leading up to the unexpected party, and before I really had time to adjust I was standing in front of the body length mirror in the girl's dormitory staring at myself.

I was wearing a long, black, halter top dress that was tight on the top until the material hit my hips where it flared out into a kind of puffy and flowing bottom. I had to admit that the black against my skin these days almost made me look like one of those vampires that teenage muggle girls spent their time swooning over, and my eyes pop such a sharp blue color that they almost looked like those deep blue crystal rocks that one can sometimes find in rock exhibits. I had pulled my sleek black hair into a side bun before slipping into a pair of simple black heels.

Hermione had been sitting on her bed, looking into a bewitched mirror that helped one to more effectively apply make up as I was observing myself. She was sporting a simple peach colored dress that made her skin have a certain natural glow to it, that went down in a v shape in both the front and the back. It fell down to just above her knees much like my dress, and gave her an overall very stunning body shape. I had personally always found Hermione pretty, but unfortunately our standard Hogwarts robes didn't really allow much for our bodily figures, and usually gave everyone a slightly washed out look.

"Are you ready?" I asked Hermione as she leaned back from the mirror, snapping it shut before giving her lips a little rub together.

"I am. You really look lovely in that dress Abby," Hermione said with a smile.

"I could say the same to you," I said, returning the smile before heading to the door and opening it.

Harry was down in the common room in his robes already, talking politely to the portrait of a rather old man who was arguably one of Hogwarts' biggest Quidditch fans. Naturally given Harry's situation in such matters the man always took advantage of chatting to Harry whenever he got him alone. He politely excused himself as we reached the bottom of the steps, Harry's mouth falling open slightly as he spotted me. If I was capable of blushing anymore I am sure my own cheeks would have flushed a deep red, but all I could do was give him a slightly embarrassed smile before shifting my eyes to the ground. Despite dating Harry for a year now I still felt my heart flutter quite a bit whenever he seemed to be taken aback by my beauty.

"You both look stunning," Harry said with a warm smile.

"Thank you Harry. You look dashing as well," Hermione said with a little smile.

"Shall we go?" Harry asked, holding out his arm so that I could take a hold of it. We walked through the portrait, the fat lady giving us compliments as we went down the steps, and headed on the rather long and somewhat nerve racking track to the dungeons.

I couldn't help but notice that Ron had managed to keep himself unseen throughout the course of the day, carefully making sure that he strategically had to go and do something right before Hermione and I went up to get ready. Although I had been slightly nervous about this plan, Hermione decided to invite Cormac to the party with her, and since he had a meeting with Professor McGonagall regarding some class assignment, he was going to meet us down in the dungeons. Hermione knew that it was going to make Ron jealous, and she was absolutely right, but I wasn't entirely sure that Hermione was really aware of how much Cormac wanted to...snog her. I gave her fair warning of course and she nodded, assuring me that she could handle herself and if not Harry and I were there. With that final argument the matter was settled.

We were partially down the steps when spotted Cormac who had a rather smug look on his face. I put on the most sincere looking smile that I could muster as we greeted him before heading into the room.

It was incredible how light and airy that had managed to make the whole room look. There were colorful purple shaded streamers hanging around the entire room with small floating orbs of light that weaved in and out creating an almost mystical feel. Deep red carpets had been laid out across the tile floor and small circular tables were set up around the outlying walls of the room, each one sporting a different kind of food. Walking around were students in white suits holding trays with various kinds of drinks on them, my eyes falling with a bit of shock of Neville Longbottom who was engaging in conversation with a rather old looking woman I didn't recognize. It occurred to me that there might be people that are not Hogwarts students here.

"Wow. They're really out done themselves," Cormac said with a whistle. "Shall we get something to eat?" Cormac asked, taking a hold of Hermione's hand and leading her away before Hermione even had a chance to respond. She looked back at Harry and me somewhat nervously.

"I really don't like him" Harry said to me, watching them as they went.

"Neither do I, but it's Hermione's date so we should respect that."

"I don't understand. Out of all the people to ask..."

I turned and shot Harry a look to imply that it was ridiculous that he even had to ask that.

"I know, I know. Ron."

I gave him a grim look before we headed towards one of the nearest food tables where there seemed to be an assortment of miniature sandwiches. I picked one up and took a bite, nodding my head and smiling before giving Harry a thumbs up that he should try it. He took one and shoved it rather un-tactfully into his mouth. I couldn't help but start laughing as Harry's cheeks puffed out in chipmunk like fashion. He swallowed before giving his own little laugh.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to get us something to drink."

I nodded as he went off, turning around to grab another bit of food when I suddenly became aware of how incredibly close someone was to me. Looking up I spotted the face of a man that gave my paleness a run for its money. Upon my initial shock at the man's rather stern and slightly disconcerting facial expression, I realized that the man was in fact a vampire.

"Um, excuse me," I said apologetically. "I didn't realize how close I was to you."

"I dare say you have such incredible self control." The man's voice was much higher pitched than I had been anticipating given his features.

"Sorry?" I said, not understanding what he meant.

"Well that boy you are with. His blood...it just...well it just pumps so strongly. How do you exert such self control?"

I couldn't stop my mouth from opening slightly as it occurred to me what the problem was.

"Oh. I'm so sorry but I believe you're mistaken. You see, I'm not a vampire," I said with an apologetic.

The man raised his eyebrows. "You're...you're not?" he managed to stammer out.

"No...I'm just uh...naturally paler than most," I said with a gentle shrug.

"No..no...there's definitely something different about you. You're much cooler than the other people in the room and your blood...it's just...different," the man responded, his eyes taking a new gleam to them that made me take a hesitant step back.

"My dear, dear, Frank!" Slughorn beamed, coming up behind him and giving him a rather thorough smack on the back. Frank shot Slughorn a look of deep anger and hatred. Apparently he was getting in the way.

"I see you've met our charming Abby! I'm sorry to take her away from you but I am afraid I need an opinion from her on something that I am afraid no one else is going to be qualified to give."

Before Frank had a chance to mutter a response Slughorn had his arm around my shoulder and was leading me away from the table. Never in my life had I ever thought that I would be so happy to have him by my side.

"You'll have to forgive Frank," Slughorn whispered with a nervous chuckle. "He's still getting used to the whole self-control thing."

A vampire!?!? in Hogwarts? Ooh! I want more!!!

PAMS!

Awesome!
Abby sounds so beautiful in that dress! I would love to own that dres (if I must say so ). Great job!
-Rachel

Hey Allison, very nicely done. I have to say when you described Abby in her black dress and her white skin I had a thought about the vampire that was going to be at the party.

This bit was so funny. Isn't it funny how he doesn't see people for who they are, but for the gage of blood that pumps through their veins. I also was impressed with the edge you gave your character here; Very nicely done. I was afraid for Abby and I was only reading it. Super job giving your imagination the run of the story telling. great writing. I'll be watching for your next.

Thanks for the comments everyone! I always found the fact that there was a vampire at the party in the book slightly amusing haha. I'll admit I haven't read this one in a little while so I bit rusty, but I'm pretty sure there was either a vampire at Slughorn's party of the Ghost Nick's birthday party...can't quite remember but I thought it would be amusing to add in!

Putting on the best nonchalant face that I could muster I merely gave Slughorn a little shrug of the shoulders and a smile to show that it was nothing. Meanwhile the intense thought of blood kept running through the back of my thoughts, getting softer and softer the farther we moved away from Frank.

"So, are you enjoying the party?" Slughorn asked excitedly.

"Oh, it's great Professor," I said with a smile.

"I'm quite glad. I figured it would be nice for you to have something relaxing to go to, what will all that business with Snape."

I wasn't sure why the fact that Professor Slughorn was aware of the incident took me off guard, considering the fact that he was one of the professors that helped Snape to the hospital wing, but for some reason the fact that he was addressing it out loud made my face turn grim.

"Not to bring up a sour and trying moment of course," Slughorn said, realizing the change in my facial expression.

"No, it's alright," I managed to get out although the words were quite strained.

"I just have to admit that your magic fascinates me. I mean, trained wizards are capable of doing magic without removing their wands from their holsters, but the strength of your magic without holding one is just impeccable!"

I kept walking in the circle that he was leading me around but I had no comments for his remark. After all impeccable wasn't really the word I would have used to explain my demonstration of power. If anything I thought this unwanted burst of power was going to cause me to become a murderer instead of a talented and unique witch.

"Eh, it's alright to be modest child, but really it's nothing to be ashamed of. There are so few witches and wizards in our long and extensive history that possess the gift you have, and there's certainly nothing to be ashamed in that!"

At this last comment I had to stop the circle that we were walking in and stare at Slughorn dead on. "Will all do respect Professor Slughorn impeccable is certainly not the word I would use to describe what I can do, and ashamed is definitely something I would use to describe my feelings towards my ability. I am sure from your outside perspective it must seem amazing what I am capable of doing but what you don't seem to understand is that this magic seems to possess a mind of its own, and instead of making me feel like I am a person that should be marked down in history books it makes me wish I was off in a cabin in the middle of the woods, alone, where no one could risk being hurt whenever my so called "impeccable magic" decides to show up," I said, my words sounding slightly cutting towards the end.

I could tell that I had completely taken Professor Slughorn off guard, and after the words came out I felt slightly bad about it. However, I consoled myself by realizing that Slughorn and everyone other person who viewed my bizarre form of magic as something to be envied needed to be corrected and put in their place. This was not a gift and I certainly was not going to let people go around thinking I felt it was.

"Why, of course you feel that now dear," Slughorn finally managed to respond once the shock wore off. "But this is just temporary. You are new to your powers and it is just going to take some time to get used to them."

I looked at him for a moment, remembering that I was talking to a man who made his position in life based off of how many famous and popular people he knew, and decided to just let it be. I gave a small nod, feeling a bit of relief when Harry came up to us, a slightly bemused expression of his face.

"Ahh, Harry, there you are! Hope you don't mind I stole your good friend here to have a bit of a chat. I'm afraid the vampire Frank was getting just a tad bit too friendly if you catch my drift!"

Harry raised his eyebrows slightly at concern but I gave my head a subtle shake that went over the notice of Slughorn who had just spotted a woman in a very deep purple dress heading towards a table near by. "If you'll just excuse me. I am afraid I must go speak with that woman before she leaves!"

Before Harry or I even had a chance to acknowledge his words he was off and swooning over the woman who had a slightly cautious look on her face.

"So there's a vampire here?" Harry asked, clearing his throat slightly.

"Yes...and he was admiring my level of self-control at not lunging after your blood."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle, realizing what I was implying by the words. "I know you are pale Abby but I certainly don't think that anyone believes you're a vampire."

"He could sense that I was different though," I said, accepting the drink that Harry handed to me.

"How so?"

"He said my blood was different..."

Harry let out a little huh sound before leading me over to the table of desserts that was behind us. I was able to reach out and take a chocolate covered cherry when I suddenly felt someone standing a bit too close to me. If this was Frank I was going to need to be firm. I turned to look at the person but to my surprise found that it was Cormac.

"Tell me where your friend has slipped off to," he said, shooting me a heart warming smile that I am sure would have made any other girl in the room swoon.

"Last I checked she was with you," I responded with a level of coldness.

"She told me she was coming to find you....huh...well I guess she likes a bit of hide and seek. Adds to the thrill."

I couldn't stop the look of disgust from appearing on my face, and upon shooting Harry a glance I could tell he was sporting a similar one with just slightly more anger in it.

"Ahh well...off I go. She is around here somewhere."

With that he was gone, me shaking my head and Harry seriously considering following him.

"Maybe we should..."

"She's lost him already which means she is handling herself just fine," I said with a smile before Harry had time to finish his sentence.

"Good point."

I was about to respond when over Harry's shoulder I noticed Professor Snape heading towards us. My facial expression had apparently changed enough that Harry put his hand on my arm, spotting Snape as he turned to see what I was looking at.

"Miss Carson. Mr. Potter," Snape said in his usual drawl. "I have a message for you. Headmaster Dumbledore had to leave unexpectedly on some business, meaning the meeting he had scheduled with you both on Monday is cancelled."

"Where did he go?" Harry asked.

"I do not know, but I am sure Mr. Potter if he wanted you to know he would have told me to pass the information along, and he did not."

I could tell that Harry was struggling to not retort back, and I appreciated the effort. After all since I had nearly killed the man in front of us, I figured I owed him the kindness of at least not picking fights when they could be avoided.

"Mr. Potter I do believe that Neville Longbottom was inquiring about your whereabouts. Perhaps you ought to go and find him."

Harry turned to look at me, knowing that this was a ruse to get Snape and I alone, and I gave him a little nod that it was alright. We were in a rather public and crowded place after all, and Snape knew to watch his step around me. Once Harry was gone Snape turned towards the table, so that only I would be able to hear his words.

"I realize Miss Carson we haven't gotten a chance to speak since our little incident and I would like to give you my apologies."

The words took me so off guard I had to grab the edge of the table for support. "You what?" I practically yelled out.

Thankfully everyone was too engaged with their own business to notice.

"I realize that given the rather vast expansion in your powers that you received in such a short period of time, it was wrong of me to put you in a situation where you felt cornered," Snape responded, saying the last word slowly like he wasn't sure if that was the right term.

"Um...thank you," I managed to respond with much more composure. "I offer my apologies for...well...you know," I said, feeling myself starting to get slightly uncomfortable.

"It is alright. As such, I would like to meet with you and try and figure out why it is that your mother can get into your head like that. I'm not sure if you're aware that as you were...you know...you were muttering to yourself and the voice coming out was definitely not your own."

I was silent. I hadn't know...I had only thought her voice was in my head. In the moment I had no idea why I decided that I could trust Snape and ask him such a personal question, but I did.

"Can my mother control me?"

Snape was quiet for a moment, looking out the window behind the table.

"I do not know."