The Green Flame Torch

CHPT 6 Sweet Dreams

The rest of the trip Draco barely spoke a word, aside from a few offhand comments about the greatness of Slytherin. Lilah sat musing over different ways to punish Draco for interrupting her moment with Harry and Professor Lupin. Actually the Dementor, Draco quickly explained, did, but Lilah was determined to find the fault in him. She stared out the window holding back the urge to return to the compartment and ask Professor Lupin if he knew her mother. He seemed to know something.

The train arrived at its destination, Hogsmeade Station. Lilah got out and was herded with the first years towards the lake, in to boats. She was happy to get away from Draco for a while. Lilah squeezed in next to a girl who was up to her shoulders while sitting down. The girl stared puzzled at Lilah with her big eyes. Lilah kept her eyes forward towards the ominous castle ahead. She had a perfect view being that she could see over everyone's head. The boats arrived in front of the castle of Hogwarts.

A woman, who called herself Professor McGonagall, escorted the first years into the Great Hall. The first years were all looking at each other with a sense of dread and anticipation as they entered the Great Hall. Lilah knew every eye would go on her when she set foot in there and regretted ever growing past four feet. She was right, as they entered every student turned in their seats towards the new years and their eyes seemed to linger in her direction. She felt her face get flushed, and heard some snickering and hoped that Harry wasn't paying any attention to her. As a matter of fact where was Harry? She couldn't see him anywhere. He wasn't seated at any of the tables. Lilah hoped he was okay, but was grateful he wasn't there to see her looking ridiculous.

"What do you think they'll do to sort us?" asked the little girl who had been staring at her.

"I heard they use a hat that chooses your house." Answered Lilah.

"Really? My sister said that she had to stick her head in a alligator's mouth!" the girl said a little peeved.

"I'm sure it's just a hat."

"What are you doing with the first years? You look about my sister's age." Said the girl after a while.

"Long story." Said Lilah with a sigh.

Just then McGonagall pulled out the sorting hat which began to sing. Lilah tried not to laugh, but in her opinion had never seen anything so silly. When it was done, and all the students clapped, McGonagall pulled out a parchment and began to call last names.

"Abacus!" McGonagall called.

A small tanned boy in front of Lilah went to the hat. Lilah faced forward.

"Hufflepuff!" called the hat.

The little girl tried to start up a conversation with Lilah but she was too busy trying to block out the stifled laughs that were ringing in her ear.

"MacFadden!" called McGonagall after some time.

The little girl with big eyes walked towards the hat and was quickly made into a Ravenclaw. Soon all the children had been called but Lilah and a little black boy. She never did like having a name that was last in the alphabet.

"Snape!" called McGonagall.

Lilah ran to the hat. She wanted this over with. She couldn't stand the laughing and giggling anymore. The hat was placed on her head; it didn't fall over her eyes as it did with the other kids. She heard a voice in her ear.

"I sense a desire in you. A fire, yes, to find yourself." Said the voice.

Gryffindor, please. I want to be with Harry. Thought Lilah.

" Gryffindor?" said the voice, " But, you have too much of a desire to be something big. Better make it, SLYTHERIN!"

The hat yelled out the last word and Lilah slowly took off the hat. Thankfully, she heard polite clapping instead of laughing. She looked at the Slytherins and noticed that they were covering their mouths or were staring at her in shock. Some were still trying to hold in the laughter and wanted Lilah to know.

Here we go. Lilah thought as she ventured to their table.

Draco gestured her to sit next to him with a huge smile. As she did the eyes of the Slytherin's were set on her.

"What are they staring at?" she said to Draco loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

"Maybe they have never seen a girl as pretty as you before." He said with a smile.

Lilah was almost flattered, but the moment passed quickly. The sorting ceremony was finished and Lilah sat silently. She stared down at her plate, and didn't even notice when Harry and Hermione entered. Dumbledore then stood up and spoke, diverting Lilah's attention. He energetically welcomed the students back, new and old. Then his face became quite grave.

"As you will be aware," Dumbledore continued, "after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

Lilah looked uneasily at Draco, who was staring, expressionless, at the headmaster.

"Why are they here?" she whispered to Draco.

"You don't know?"

Lilah shook her head.

"Sirius Black escaped Azkaban and wants to kill Potter, so everyone is making a big fuss over him. The dementors are here to protect their precious Potter." Draco drawled out.

Lilah's eyes widened as she remembered the article about the mad man after Harry. Sirius Black, Lilah repeated in her heard.

"The funny thing is," Draco snickered, "they are supposed to help him. Instead they made him pass out."

Lilah wanted to ask why Black wanted Harry dead, but didn't want to give Draco the satisfaction of talking to her anymore. All the while Dumbledore continued to explain the manor of which the dementors should be treated. Then, Dumbledore perked up and introduced two new teachers: Professor Lupin and Rubeus Hagrid. Lilah's eyes fell upon Professor Hagrid; the biggest man she had ever seen, who was dabbing his eyes with the tablecloth.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

Food appeared magically on the golden plates on the table and everyone began to eat.

"So, you want to know who everyone is?" Draco asked and he began to cut his pork.

Lilah shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, that over there is Pansy Parkinson." Draco said pointing to a blonde girl who resembled a pug.

Lilah quickly looked up to see this Pansy girl was not looking pleased to see her. Lilah wanted to channel her but Draco distracted her by handing her a plate of rolls.

"What's her problem?" Lilah asked taking a roll.

"Oh, she wants me." said Draco absentmindedly.

"That's Millicent Bullstrode." he drawled out, " She's the scariest girl I've ever met. Don't get her mad. And, those two are Crabbe and Goyle, but you already know that. They are actually Gregory and Vincent, but who really cares about their first names. Next to Crabbe is Jezebel Nott, she fancies Crabbe. Can't imagine why. I think she is legally blind. And that small one over there is Blaise Zabini. They are all friends with me and I can get-"

"Shut up Malfoy. Your voice is quite annoying." interrupted a deep faint voice.

Lilah turned around and saw a burly ghost, covered in silver blood glaring at Draco. Draco quickly went silent and continued eating. Lilah stared at the ghost in awe; she had never seen one before. He walked past her and sat in a seat at the end of the table.

"Who's that? Or what was that?" asked Lilah.

"The Bloody Baron. Our house ghost." Whispered Draco.

"Okay." Lilah mused, although she was quite confused as to why a house ghost was necessary, but then remembered she didn't want Draco talking to her, so she didn't ask.

Lilah observed the great hall and the ceiling with its beautiful starry sky. Her eyes wandered over to the other tables, hoping to catch a glimpse of Harry. She had all but lost hope when she saw him happily eating with his two friends. Lilah smiled at them, all though they didn't notice. She looked over at the Professor's table and found Professor Lupin talking lively with another teacher. He was actually quite handsome, Lilah thought. She had this suddenly longing urge to talk to him, but didn't know why.

When the feast was over a Slytherin prefect ordered the house to follow her. Lilah joined the group as they headed down towards the dungeon. Lilah walked quickly causing Draco to sprint to keep up with her. They arrived at a dark hallway. In front of them was a damp stone wall.

Vira Regnator, the prefect, turned to the students and said, "This year's password is Lion's Blood. Don't forget it."

She repeated the password to the wall and a door revealed itself and opened leading towards the Slytherin common room. The Slytherins went in. The walls were made of rough stone that had turned a greenish hue do to the water that had leaked through over the years. Lilah could almost make out where an old picture hand hung on them from the outline of mildew. Many portraits were on the wall; most were of Slytherin Alumni; Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape included. The fireplace was large with an elaborately carved mantelpiece above it. Satin ottomans and arms chairs were situated about the room and the carpet was a deep blood red. Pansy and the other girls went towards a staircase to the left, Lilah assumed she should follow them. As she did she noticed a large portrait next to the stairs of a tall tanned man with long dark hair that curled at the bottom. He was wearing medieval type clothing with a breastplate that had a snake forming an "S" on it. He glared at Lilah as she approached the portrait. Under it was a gold plaque that read, Salazar Slytherin.

"Pleasant fellow." She said to herself.

"You have no idea." Said Salazar in an abrasive whisper, which sent shivers up Lilah's spine.

Lilah quickly made her way past the portrait and up the stairs. Lucky for her there were only three third year girls, so there was a bed for Lilah in their room. Lilah saw all her belongings had been brought up and laid next to a beautiful four-post bed with satin forest green curtains. Lilah was beginning to notice a pattern with the color green. The girls huddled around Pansy's bed whispering to each other. Pansy was a little prettier than Lilah had thought at first seeing her, but that was probably because the bedroom was poorly lit. Jezebel was small with beady black eyes and dark skin. Millicent was a dark haired girl with a large square jaw and looked, to Lilah, like a female Goyle. Lilah ignored them and began unpacking.

"So, Lilah," said Pansy "You are Snape's niece?"

"Yes." Said Lilah not looking at Pansy.

"Why are you starting so late?" said Pansy as the other girls began to snicker.

Lilah was really getting tired of that question.

"I don't know." She said with a sigh.

"Well I'm Pansy Parkinson and that is Millicent and that is Jezebel."

"I know Draco pointed you out to me." Answered Lilah.

"Oh, Draco? Well, Lilah," continued Pansy as she slithered forward, "I think since you are new that I should tell you about some things. For your own good."

"Like what?" said Lilah uninterested.

"Well, like about certain boys."

"You have a specific one in mind?" said Lilah staying occupied with her trunk.

"Mostly Draco Malfoy."

"What about him?"

"Well, he is claimed." Said Pansy sitting down on Lilah's bed.

"Pansy, you have nothing to worry about. I don't fancy him"

Pansy looked up at her, her eyes wide.

"Well, neither do I. It's just that some girls do and, well, you don't want girls hating you so early in the year."

"Well tell them they have nothing to worry about, Uncle Severus made him follow me around and help me because I was new. That is all."

"Oh." Said Pansy.

Pansy began to examine Lilah's belongings as if she had been asked to do so.

"Um, Pansy, you are sitting on my night gown." Said Lilah while tugging on it.

"Oh!"

Pansy jumped and began to walk around Lilah, as Millicent and Jezebel walked up to her.

"So I hear you went to school with Muggles." Said Jezebel.

"How did you know that?" Asked Lilah.

"Well, everyone knows about you."

"Me?"

"Well, yeah. My mum told me that you were kept from coming to school because of your mother, who she said is a bit crazy." Said Jezebel as she plopped herself on Lilah's bed.

"My mum is not crazy." Retorted Lilah hurrying up her unpacking.

"I didn't think she was. It's just my mum said so."

"Well your mum was wrong."

Jezebel did not notice Lilah's angry tone and began to look through her stuff as well.

"I heard you were kept from school because your mum was in some scandal at this school and your family was kicked out." Said Millicent.

Lilah couldn't tell if they were trying to be mean or just busy bodies. She wanted to channel them but was too busy keeping herself for hitting them.

"How could that be true?" said Pansy, "Her uncle is a professor!"

"Girls, I would really love to chat, but I am so tired from that trip. I would really like to go to sleep." Said Lilah in one breath.

"Okay." Said Jezebel as she hopped off of Lilah's bed.

"Goodnight." The girls said cheerfully.

"Goodnight." Lilah said clenching her teeth.

The girls stayed up an hour or so longer gossiping. Lilah tried to shut them out by putting her pillow over her ears, but it didn't work. She gave up trying to sleep and was plagued by what they had said. None of it could be true, she was sure. And her mother was most definitely not crazy! She banged her fist on her bed. Finally the girl's voices faded away and all was quiet and Lilah had some peace. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

She dreamt she was walking down the hallway heading towards the common room. She turned down a dark hall and suddenly realized she took the wrong turn. She turned around to go back, but found a wall behind her. She decided to keep going down the hall and found that it was getting darker the further she went. Soon she was in complete darkness and felt the wall to help her go forward. The hall became suddenly frigid and Lilah held her robe close to her. Then she heard a piercing scratchy voice.

" If you turn left now I can lead you out of this." It said.

"But there is a wall there." She said as she patted the wall soon to find out that it was no longer there.

"Turn left and follow me." The voice said.

It seemed to be closer now, almost behind Lilah.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I am here to help you on your path." It said, as it grew closer to her.

Lilah tensed up and didn't move. She could feel whatever it was, was very near. She felt alarmed and untrusting towards the voice, but quickly wanting out of the hall.

"Don't do what he asks." Said another voice, much richer in tone and resonance.

"But, I want to get out of here!" Lilah screamed.

"Then go where you want to go." Said the second voice.

"Follow me!" screeched the first voice, "I will guide you!"

"To nowhere!" yelled the second voice, "Lily follow your own path and you will get out!"

"Don't listen to him!" screeched the first voice.

Lilah's gut feeling was to run forward, but there was nothing there.

"Go Lily! Go where you want! Go now!" screamed the second voice as it echoed in the empty space.

Lilah mustered up her strength and ran forward into nothingness as fast as she could. She felt her leg jerk and opened her eyes. She saw her curtains of her four-post bed. She could hear the faint snoring of Millicent. She sat up. Her heart was beating fast. She remembered the voices arguing over her. What a weird dream, she thought. She suddenly found the darkness of the room unnerving and quickly rummaged through her belongings and found her wand.

"Lumos." She whispered, one of the few spells she already knew.

Her wand's tip was illuminated as she got out of bed and paced around the room. She couldn't go back to sleep. She never did well with nightmares. Even now, being nearly fourteen, she would still run to her mother's room and curl up next to Imogen until she fell asleep again. But Imogen was miles away and Lilah for the first time felt homesick. She ran to her trunk and found her journal. She sat down on her bed and began to read the articles about Xenia. This would take her mind off the dream for awhile. It turned out a very short while. Within a few minutes her mind wasn't on anything, as a matter of fact, and she was fast asleep.

Lilah woke up the next morning to the sounds of the girls getting ready, feeling very groggy. Thankfully, the rest of her night was nightmare free. She put her wand in her robe and quickly got dressed. She made sure no one was looking and put her journal under her bed mattress and joined Pansy and the girls as they headed to the Great Hall. Draco greeted her in the common room. Lilah looked at Pansy, hoping she would see the annoyance in her face. But, Pansy just left the room in a huff. Lilah unhappily followed Draco.

She ate quickly, trying to escape Draco's repetitive playback of Harry's fainting spell, and make it to her first class early. She finished her toast and tea and ran out of the Great Hall. Draco was too occupied with fake fits of terror that he didn't notice. She stood outside the room of her Defense Against Dark Arts class, hoping to meet with Professor Lupin. Maybe she could talk to him before class. Before during the feast the timing didn't seem right. She waited by the door clutching her books for a couple minutes before she saw him slowly walking up to the classroom.

"Hullo, Professor!" she called out.

He was startled and almost dropped his bag. He had not expected such a loud greeting so early in the morning.

"Hullo. Why are you here so early?" he asked as he opened the door.

"No reason. Just wanted to, well, we didn't really get introduced yesterday. I mean everything was so crazy with the dementors and all." She said following him.

"Oh." He sighed as he set his things down, "Well, your uncle informed all the professors, last night, about you Lilah."

He took a seat at his desk.

"He did?"

Lupin nodded, and continued, "He was just telling us about your absence from Wizarding school and-"

"I bet he told you all to be especially nice to me because I have never been to a Wizarding School and such." She drawled out quite Draco-like.

"Something like that." He said with a laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"You sounded like...your uncle." He said, suddenly finding his desk extremely interesting.

"My uncle?"

Lilah stared at Lupin. But he didn't catch her eye.

"Most people say, I sound like my mum." She said still staring at him.

Lupin looked at her a little shocked, but soon slipped into a kind smile.

"You do." He said softly.

"So you did know my mum?" she blurted out as if she had figured out who the murderer was in a mystery.

"We went to school here." He stated.

"Really?" she squeaked.

"Yes. She would speak with that same tone of sarcasm when she spoke of her brother." He said with a glance to Lilah.

She bit her lip and looked down.

"Don't worry. I won't tell Severus." Lupin said with a smile.

Some students began to enter the room.

"So were you in the same year as my mum?" Lilah asked hastily.

"No. I was one year ahead of her. Er, Lilah, I can't talk right now. Class will begin soon. So, could we continue this later?" he said with a faint smile.

"Oh sure." Said Lilah, disappointed.

She picked up her books and headed for a seat without an empty chair next to it. Maybe it would help Draco to get the point that he just had to show her around, not be surgically attached to her. She sat next to the wall with Millicent on her other side. The rest of the Slytherins walked in, including Draco, who made Millicent move. Lilah groaned and opened her book as Professor Lupin began class.

"Honestly, don't you think we could get a teacher that could afford wearable clothing?" whispered Draco in Lilah's ear.

Lilah pretended she didn't hear him and began to copy notes from off the board. Class went quickly enough, and Lilah found that Lupin was a delightful teacher. However, she couldn't say the same for his students, who remained idle and quiet the whole class period. The bell rang and Lilah gathered her things slowly. She tried to be the last one to leave, to have another word with Lupin, but Draco dragged her to the great hall for lunch. After lunch she followed the rest of the Slytherins outside for their Care of Magical Creatures Class.

Lilah walked slowly behind Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. The boys stopped walking and Draco began to talk very animatedly about Harry's fit, again. Lilah sat down on the grass, when she heard extra footsteps crunching the grass behind her. She turned around and saw Harry Potter walking towards her. She stood up with a jolt and began to make sure there wasn't grass on her robe.

"Hi." He said with a soft smile.

Hermione walked briskly passed Harry, almost pushing Lilah. Ron stood next to Harry, smiling stupidly at Lilah. Lilah was about to greet Harry when she felt herself being pulled away by her arm. She spun around and found the grave face of Draco.

"I want to show you something." He said quickly.

"Not now." Lilah snapped pulling back her arm.

Just then Hagrid appeared. He led all the students to a fenced area. Then, Lilah like everyone showed Hagrid their books that were strapped shut. Lilah was quite annoyed that a teacher would assign such a ridiculous book, but when she saw how Harry tried to defend him, she rethought her opinion of Hagrid. Lilah inched her way to be within eyesight of Harry. Soon a dozen hippogriffs trotted towards them. Lilah listened half-heartedly to Hagrid as he explained how to treat the hippogriff. Her mind was more agreeable set on Harry's green eyes.

"Right-who wants ter go first?" asked Hagrid.

All of the class hesitated then Harry stepped forward. Lilah watched admiringly at how brave he was. Harry approached the hippogriff and even got it to let him fly on it. Lilah cheered louder than anyone did when Harry landed. Lilah was put with Pansy and Blaise as they took turns bowing to a tawny colored hippogriff. Lilah deserted them after a short while and walked over to Harry who was observing Ron and Hermione work with one.

"Hi Harry." Lilah said.

"Hi. I see you were dragged away by Malfoy." He said soberly.

"Oh, well he has to be my escort around school. I think he takes the job too seriously."

"Oh."

They stood there silently. Harry was looking over at Draco petting a hippogriff.

"So, were you really named after my mum?" Harry asked still watching Draco.

"Well, my middle name was from your mum."

"What's your first name?" Harry said a little distracted by what Draco was doing.

"Variana." Lilah said.

The conversation was interrupted by a high-pitched scream that pierced the air. Lilah looked over and saw Hagrid wrestling Buckbeak, while Draco lay on the floor bleeding. Hagrid carried him away, while Draco kept wailing he was going to die. The class followed. The Slytherins badmouthed Hagrid, while Lilah walked next to a tearful Pansy who soon followed Hagrid to the hospital. Lilah walked quietly back to the castle feeling guilty because she wasn't at all concerned about Draco's condition. She went into the common room and sat in an armchair in front of the fire. Pansy came back in and informed them all that Draco would be fine.

"Pity." Lilah whispered as she stood up and passed Pansy.

Lilah made her way to her room. Salazar smirked at her as she went up the stairs. She collapsed on her bed, exhausted and feeling guilty because she felt no remorse for Hagrid either, but new Harry would be upset if Hagrid got fired. He seemed to like that teacher. Lilah went Draco-free to her Divinations class, where Lilah was surprised to find out she was going to die, someday. Dinner was melancholy, as no one talked to her. So, she got up, left her plate behind and walked over to the Gryffindor table. She went up to Harry who stared at her blankly.

"You need something Lilah?" he asked friendly-like.

"I just wanted to say that I was sorry about Professor Hagrid."

Hermione snorted.

"Draco's an idiot." Lilah continued glaring at Hermione.

"Tell us something we don't know." Said Ron.

"Well, I just wanted to say that." Said Lilah as she was beginning to feel stupid standing by all the Gryffindor's who were trying to eat.

She turned to leave.

"Wait Lilah," called Harry, "Why are you in Slytherin? I mean you are so, well, nice."

"Well the hat said I had to be in Slytherin." She said shuffling her feet.

"It might just be a family thing," said Ron, "All my family is in Gryffindor."

"Oh. Thanks Rob."

Hermione chuckled.

"Ron." he corrected her.

"Oh sorry." mumbled Lilah.

"Lilah," said Hermione dangerously, "I think you better go back to your table. Your uncle seems to be a little upset."

Hermione pointed at Snape who was glaring at Lilah. Lilah smiled weakly at her uncle and began to leave again.

"Oh, well see you later." Said Lilah crestfallen.

"See ya!" called Ron and Harry.

Lilah took her dinner, feeling that she wasn't quite welcome back at the Slytherin table and went to her room. She got ready to go to sleep, climbed into her bed, and finished her dinner. She then lay her head down on her pillow, and fell asleep thinking of ways to get to know Harry and Lupin better.

***

The night was cold and dark. The Slytherins common room was deserted and quiet. Or so it seemed. A tall dark figure was walking down the steps from the girl's dorms. It seemed to have its hand on something that was slowly pulling it. It walked around the room in circles. Then, it collapsed on the floor by the window.

Lilah woke up from the impact of hitting the common room floor. She looked up and at first didn't know where she was. She felt her head as it throbbed from the hit to the floor. She had been dreaming, but of what? She must have been sleep walking, she concluded as she realized she wasn't in her bed.

In her dream she was holding onto a large animal, a lion, that led her down a hall. She couldn't remember what he was saying, but it was leading her to the common room. Lilah looked up reached her hand up to the window ledge and pulled herself up. She tried to hold onto her dream. The lion wanted her to do something. Lilah tried to remember. What was it the Lion wanted? It wanted her to know about a torch. Know what? She couldn't remember. Something about the torch and the common room. Then her eyes grew wide. She remembered.

The lion said, "Here is where the Green Flame Torch was made. Now that we are together again, you must help the heir of Gryffindor find it."

She remembered now, she heard him say this and collapsed on the floor. The voice, she remembered was from her last dream. The resonant voice she trusted. She headed to her room. She felt the wall and slowly tried to make her way back to the stairs towards her room. She felt her hand go over paintings and carvings. She found her way to a large portrait,

"Get your hands off of my face!" scolded a crass voice.

Lilah screamed and cupped her mouth, then remembered the voice as being that of Salazar Slytherin's. She quickly made it past his portrait and stumbled up the stairs. When she arrived in her room, she nervously wrote down what the lion said in her journal. He tried to ponder the significance of her dream and the Green Flame Torch for hours. She finally fell back asleep when the sky began to become blue.

She crawled out of bed, bags under her eyes and tried to get ready for the day. At breakfast, she received three letters. One was from Grandmama Bianca, who scolded Lilah for not writing as soon as she arrived. The other two were tied together. The first was from Imogen and the second was from Athena. Lilah opened Athena's letter first; it read:

Lily,

Hey girl! So how is your new school? We all miss you terribly. Agnes and Frances can't stop crying and Kathryne, is well being Kathryne. School is of course boring as hell! So what is this school like? You didn't even tell me the address or name. I had to send this to your mum. It's in Scotland or something right? Agnes says to tell Mr. Emerald hullo from her, incase you see him.

Athena went on about the latest St. Mary's gossip. Lilah's eyes teared up. She wanted to be with her friends. Lilah wrote a quick response to Bianca, gave it to Boo, and headed for Double Herbology with the Ravenclaws.

***

The rest of the week went by in a daze for Lilah. She had the same nightmare every night, the voices would argue over her and she would run away. The lion however didn't reappear. She sat completely exhausted, staring forward in Potions class with glazed over eyes.

"Granger. Snape. Come forward please." commanded Snape before class began.

Hermione and Lilah went to the front of the class. Exchanging unfriendly looks.

"Now, Granger you seem to enjoy pointing out that you know things. So, I am going to give you a chance to do that even more." Said Snape.

Hermione looked uneasy, but stayed quiet.

"Ms. Snape here is a promising new student. But, could use some help with her studies." Snape continued.

"Um, professor" Hermione said. " I am sure that-"

"You will tutor her? Thank you for volunteering. You may both sit down" finished Snape.

Hermione stood there for a second in shock then stomped back to her desk.

"Uncle, er, Professor, don't you think I could do it alone?" Lilah asked.

"You may sit down Snape." He said not catching her eye.

Lilah sat down and heard Hermione complaining.

"Does he think I have nothing else better to do?" she said to Ron.

Draco walked in, holding his arm that was hurt by Buckbeak. He had an air of great importance around him as he sat next to Lilah. Like clock work Pansy began to fawn over him.

"All right, settle down." Said Snape.

"Miss me?" whispered Draco.

"Yes, I had sleepless nights." Lilah said dryly.

Draco smirked. He looked like he was going to say something else but Snape began class.

***

The next day Snape arranged for Lilah and Hermione to meet in the library for tutoring.

"Why did he ask her to tutor you?" asked Draco as he escorted her to the library.

"She's really smart, from what I hear." Said Lilah.

They arrived at the library entrance.

"That's because she has no life." Said Draco struggling to open the door one handed.

Lilah grab the door and went in, leaving Draco to himself. She wandered around and found Hermione sitting in the History section, not at all pleased to see Lilah.

"All right let's get this over with." sighed Hermione opening her books.

Hermione decided to begin with potions. They tried for an hour or so until it was quite evident this tutoring set up was not going to work.

"You don't even know how to measure?" gasped Hermione as they were trying a make a simple sleeping potion.

"Sorry. I was never taught." snapped Lilah.

Hermione groaned and placed her head in her hands.

"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Ron.

He and Harry had just walked around a bookshelf and found the girls.

"Nothing." Hermione mumbled.

Lilah smiled weakly at Harry.

"Well, lunch is starting soon," said Harry smiling back at Lilah, "Are you two hungry?"

Lilah was a little, but didn't speak. Hermione looked up at Harry and nodded.

"We can try again tomorrow. It's okay." Said Lilah.

"Okay." Hermione said beaming as she grabbed her books and repacked them.

Hermione got up and followed Ron.

"I'm starving," she said.

Harry didn't move.

"You coming?" he asked Lilah.

Hermione spun around rapidly and goggled at Harry.

"Er," Lilah said looking at Hermione. "Sure."

Hermione bit her lip and walked stiffly forward with Ron. Lilah followed them with Harry next to her. They talked about classes and such all the way to the great hall. They walked over to the Gryffindor table and Ron made a seat for Lilah. Hermione was not pleased. Lilah sat down next to Ron feeling every Gryffindor staring at her. But soon they seemed to care less about her presence. That is aside from Hermione.

"You know Lilah," Harry began.

"You can call me Lily." Said Lilah softly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and began to eat.

"Well, Lily, Ron and I were talking about this, and maybe the hat made a mistake. I mean you don't seem to be having that much fun in Slytherin." Said Harry.

"Maybe, you should talk to Dumbledore. I mean I doubt he wants you in a house where you don't like anyone." Added Ron.

"Whatever the hat says, goes. Dumbledore can't change that." snapped Hermione.

"Was that in Hogwarts a History?" asked Ron.

Hermione scowled at him.

"Common knowledge." She sneered.

All through lunch Harry talked animatedly about Quidditch and Lilah listened attentively. Ron and Hermione argued about their pets. Lilah had never felt so happy since she arrived at Hogwarts. Not only was Draco a gimp now, but Harry was becoming her friend. Things were starting to go well.

The night arrived and Lilah felt a sense of foreboding but attempted to sleep. She lay in her bed staring at the curtains. Soon all was dark. Lilah walked down the hallway towards the broken girl's toilet. But as she approached it a great green light was shining through it. She shielded her eyes and entered. It looked nothing like a bathroom more like a dark dungeon of some sort. In the center was a table.

"You are stubborn," screeched a voice.

The voice was familiar and sounded like fingernails scratching a chalkboard.

"I am impressed you see." He said.

Lilah stayed still.

"Only three before you have resisted me this far."

"What do you want?" asked Lilah.

"You must choose. I will not be so patient with you for long."

"Choose what?"

"On that table," said the voice, "are tools to help you out of this chamber. You must choose one to help you out."

Lilah walked up to the table and saw a small bumblebee buzzing in a jar.

"You're joking right?' she said.

The voice didn't answer. She looked at the next object, which was a piece of parchment that read,

"Why can't you play jokes on snakes?"

Lilah stared at it for a while.

"Because you can't pull their legs?" she said.

"So you are clever as well?" said the voice.

The next two objects were a potted flower and a crescent moon.

"Use one to get out of here." Said the voice quite amused.

"But what if I chose wrong?" Lilah asked.

"Let's hope that doesn't happen."said the voice sternly.

Lilah looked over the objects again. She heard some noise behind her. She turned and saw something gliding across the floor. She stood frozen with fear.

"Who's there?" she screamed.

"Choose!" screeched the voice.

Lilah looked at the table then back at what was approaching her. Her eyes grew wide as it came into the light. It was a giant snake. She looked back at the table and began to fumble her hands over the objects. She looked back and the snake was only a foot away from her. She looked back at the table and sitting next to it was a lion.

"The moon will help you!" yelled the lion.

He nudged the crescent moon towards her. She grabbed it and felt it's sharp sides cut into her hand. Blood began to stream down her arm. Lilah faced the snake.

"No!" screeched voice.

Lilah threw the crescent moon like a boomerang. It sliced through the snake and landed back in her hand. Lilah opened her eyes. Her hand was throbbing with pain. She sat up and felt it, only to find it was perfectly fine. She felt ground underneath her and not her bed. Noticing the floor beneath her was tile and wet she quickly got up. It was pitch black in the room and she reached her hands out trying to find the light.

"Who are you?' asked a girls voice.

Lilah jumped.

Am I still dreaming? she thought.

"I said, who are you and what are you doing in my toilet?"

Lilah backed against a wall.

"I'm Lilah Snape." She said.

"Are you here to laugh at me?"

"No." Said Lilah as her voiced cracked, "Could you please turn the light on. I am freakin' out here."

"Lumos!" called the voice.

The lights flickered on and Lilah found herself standing in the broken girl's toilet, face to face with a ghost. Lilah screamed so loud that it scared poor Myrtle, who jumped in her respective toilet. Lilah slipped as she ran, still screaming out of the toilet down the halls, back to the dungeons.