Dark Daughter

Chapter 5: Slytherin Versus Gryffindor

(November 10^th)

"Sorry--J-Jason?"

"Amy?"

It was indeed Jason Black. He was pale and worried looking, but his expression soon changed to relief as he realized who he'd bumped into.

"Oh, Amy," he said. "We were so worried. When you said that you may be gone for a day and you didn't arrive last night--we thought something awful had happened to you!"

"Oh, Jason!" said Amy and she threw herself upon him, holding back tears. "Nothing awful happened to me, I'm fine, but--oh--I have so much to tell you! Most of it's not good, but I still need to tell you. I--oh, Jason--I missed you . . . and everyone else, too."

Jason helped her to feet.

"C'mon," he said. "Let's go find the others. Joanne was near tears. She had a bad dream, you see, she saw you crying I guess. You know Joe."

"Yeah," said Amy, grinning. "I've got my first Quidditch match today, in about four hours."

"Did you get much sleep?"

"No."

"Well, do Joanne a favor and don't fall off you broom, okay?" said Jason, grinning in the same way Amy was--rather sarcastically.

They reached the library, where Amy's other three friends sat (Derek Abbott, Joanne Davies and David Fletcher). They were discussing something with very serious faces.

"Jason!" cried Joanne. "We didn't find--Amy!"

Joanne realized that Amy had been found and ran to embrace her friend.

"Oh, Amy. I thought you were dead. I had a dream and I didn't--Oh, Amy!"

"I'm fine," Amy reassured her. "Will you let me go now? I can't breath."

Joanne stood back, wiping her eyes.

"You guys," said Amy. "I can care for myself! Common, I'll tell you about it, let's find an empty room."

When the found a vacant room; Amy began to tell them everything. She told them about Azkaban, how she got there, about Sirius getting cursed, and every thing else. When she finished, all of them where tense and gripping the edges of the spare desks they were sitting on very tightly.

"So You-Know-Who really did convince the dementors to go over to his side?" asked David.

"Yes," said Amy. She looked at her watch.

10:30

"Listen, I've got get down to the Quidditch field. Now," her voice turned suddenly stern. "I probably wasn't supposed to tell you that stuff, and if it gets out, I won't just be in trouble, it'll be my life! But I trust you guys, and you trust me, don't you?"

"Of course," said Derek automatically.

"So you won't let this information get past us?"

"Of course we won't!" they all said at once.

Amy smiled. "Thanks you guys."

They left the room and ran up to Gryffindor tower. Amy collected her Nimbus two thousand and hurried down to the locker rooms with the rest of the team.

"Where've you been?" said Fred Weasley the moment she'd caught up with them.

"What do you mean?" she said. How did they know she'd been gone?

"You weren't there last night when Ron wanted to talk with us about techniques. We asked Jason, Joanne, Derek and David and they said that you were in your dormitory, not feeling well."

"Oh," said Amy, her panic fading. "Yeah, I was feeling a little ill yesterday, I'm better now, but I slept all of yesterday. I didn't miss much, did I?"

"No," said George. "We're doing the same as we practiced in training."

They both noticed her pale and nervous face and Fred said, "Don't worry, you'll do fine! Ron's nervous too. Just look out for the Slytherins, they play nasty."

"Who's their captain? I heard that they got a new one this year," Amy said.

"Draco Malfoy," said Fred with a tone of disgust. "He plays seeker, nasty cheating, slimeball."

They were silent for a long time.

When they reached the locker rooms, the team dressed in silence. Ron made no pre-match pep talk, though he tried a couple a times. All of them were wondering if Amy and Ron were ready for their positions on the team.

"Nervous?" Chaser, Katie Bell asked Amy as she and Alicia Spinet (a fellow Chaser) caught up with her.

"N--yes."

"Don't worry," said Alicia. "We won't leave you alone. You're safe with us. Look out for the Slytherin keeper, he plays dirty, not a very good keeper though."

At this, they both began to laugh. Amy grinned a little.

* * *

Meanwhile, Harry was feeling just as nervous. He didn't quite understand why until he remembered that they had two new teammates, and Malfoy was captain. What if they lost? What if Slytherin won fair and square? The very thought of Slytherin playing fairly was ridiculous, but the thought of Malfoy winning made him feel sick.

Harry glanced at Ron; he looked green. Harry was about to say something comforting but at that moment they stepped onto the field, and his first words were lost in the cheers from the crowd.

"And the big news this match is the new Gryffindor team members," said Lee Jordan as he commentated. "Yet, another Weasley, Ron Weasley, younger brother of Fred and George Weasley, and he's playing keeper, replacing Oliver Wood, while Amy Evans, third year, is the new chaser, replacing Angelina Johnson, graduated last year.

"The Slytherins have a new chaser, and captain too. Mordicus Flint, younger brother of Marcus Flint, is now playing Keeper and Draco Malfoy, seeker who lost the snitcher Harry Po--"

"Jordan!"

"Sorry Professor. Well, he's the new captain, anyway. And they're off!"

Amy wished that Lee wouldn't commentate so loudly. His speaker was making her eardrums throb. As she kicked off, she glimpsed Flint take the Quaffle immediately. She sped after him. He had a Nimbus Two Thousand too. Amy knew that Flint, couldn't win, he just couldn't.

She remembered what he'd said to Derek, "Who'd care what you think? You slimy Mudblood!"
She caught up with him as he approached the three golden Gryffindor goalposts. Even Lee Jordan was silent as he and the school watched. Amy reached out her arm swiftly and took the Quaffle from Flint.

"What a snatch!" yelled Lee.

Amy ignored him and she focused on the goalposts. Suddenly a Bludger came zoom toward her head. It must have been a miracle that made Amy swerve and avoid it, because at the same moment, a green blur had flying strait at her. She dodged him too. The Slytherin chaser and the Bludger nearly collided, but she dodged him just in time.

"Oops," said Lee. "Close one there. Better luck next time--"

"Jordan!" shrieked McGonagall.

"Sorry, Professor."

Amy almost screamed herself in surprise and fear as she realized that the three Slytherin chasers and seeker where speeding towards them. She dodged them and two of them hit heads.

Amy threw the Quaffle to Katie, who caught it with ease and from her position she scored. Amy started when the cheers erupted from the stands. She and Katie gave each other high fives.

* * *

Way above them, Harry was searching for the snitch. Finally, he saw it. It was shining near the edge of the Slytherin scoring area. He dived. So did Malfoy. They were neck and neck. But suddenly, a Bludger came strait at both of them and they each dodged. But when they had steadied themselves, the snitch was gone. Malfoy swore softly.

* * *

Below them, Amy had just scored, again, in fact. Her heart felt like it was going to explode from pride. But as she and Alicia exchanged high fives, Amy had as strange feeling like she shouldn't be here. She felt like someone far away need her, she somehow needed to get to them. But she shook the feeling away. She belonged here. Here, where she had just scored a goal, where she was needed on the team. I belong here!

Flint had the ball again. She, Alicia and Katie followed him. Amy cut him off and Alicia stole the Quaffle.

"Fuck you, Evans!" Flint yelled.

Amy grinned. She went ahead. She defended Alicia and Katie by cutting of the Slytherins who tried to attack.

Finally, Montague hit her, right the stomach. Amy nearly fell from her broom, but she clung on, though not nearly as tightly as she clutched her ribs. At least one was definitely broken. She could barely breathe, and Madam Hooch was not allowed to mend them. Those were the rules at Hogwarts. The only exception was if a player lost consciousness. Amy closed her eyes. She wanted to blackout, but she couldn't fail her teammates.

"Amy?" said Alicia, who was hovering next to her.

"I'll be fine," said Amy weakly. "I'll live."

She heard Fred Weasley as he swore and shouted insults at Montague, while George threatened to beat him with his bat.

Gryffindor was allowed a penalty shot. Katie almost missed but by a miracle, she made it. Amy was learning to keep a new rhythm in her breathing.

Breath. Relax. Breath. Relax. Pain. Relax. Pain. Relax. Pain, pain, pain!

Amy was focusing most of her attention on breathing. But if she had been paying attention to what was happening in the game she would have noticed that Alicia was hovering close by, obviously afraid that the Slytherins would try to attack again. Suddenly, even though everything had become a confused blur to Amy, she make out the crowd cheering as loud as they possibly could. Alicia now had her arm around her.

"Harry's seen the snitch," she told Amy. "He's diving now . . . YES! He's caught it Amy! We can get you to the nurse now, come on now."

She and Amy made their way to the ground.

"Thanks, Alicia," Amy said.

Still clasping her ribs, Amy beamed at Harry. He grinned too.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Now I am," Amy told him. "I didn't see much, but I did see you catch the snitch. You're a great seeker!"

"Thanks," Harry said.

Amy heard Madam Pomfrey's voice parting the crowd.

"Get over here Evans!" she shrieked.

"Better do what she says," Harry warned. "Or I'm sure you'll be in for it."

He grinned down at her and Amy turned and stopped holding her ribs.

Pomfrey conjured a stretcher and said, "Sit, now!"

Amy did as she was told and sat on the stretcher. Madam Pomfrey brought her back to the locker rooms and into a broom cupboard that looked like tiny room that had a bed up against one wall. It was hardly necessary, but the nurse helped her walk to the bed and lay down on it.

"I want you take off your shirt and robes dear," she said kindly Reluctantly, Amy stripped the clothing off of her upper torso (except for her braw), "Three broken ribs," she said. "Well, you've more strength than most full grown wizards I've met to stay flying with something like that, Amy, I assure you."

Amy wanted to giggle but it would make her ribs hurt, so she grinned.

"Hold still," the nurse commanded.

Amy held still. She felt her ribs mend instantly. She could breathe again. "What's this, dear?"

With a terrible jerk of the stomach, Amy realized that her Dark Mark was showing. She quickly covered it up.

"I--I--" she stammered.

But Madam Pomfrey's eyes softened. "I'm sorry dear," she said. "I didn't realize what it was. I know all about it, the headmaster told me."

"Did he tell all of the teachers?" Amy asked, horrorstruck.

"No, no, dear, he only told me," she said kindly. "It's all right. Now, redress and we'll go out together. Professor McGonagall wants to talk to you."

Amy redressed and when into the locker room with the nurse. The team was waiting for her, along with her four friends.

"C'mon, Amy, party!" said George. "This party's mainly for you and Ron, so it's not a party without you! Let's go."

Amy smiled and about to follow him before Madam Pomfrey reached out her hand and held her back.

"You should read this dear," she said, holding out a letter.

Amy took it curiously and almost cautiously; she opened it and began to read.

Dear Ms. Evans,

I am sorry to inform you that the orphanage that is currently your residence, "A New Day Orphanage," was attacked at midnight November 2, 1995. It was completely destroyed. The Dark Mark was found hovering over the wreckage. There were no survivors. I am truly sorry. Please come to office immediately after you read this letter.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Amy froze and stared at the letter. Her friends, who had been reading over her shoulder, all had their arms around her. She was shaking. She fell to her knees and began to cry.

It was her fault, all her fault. She didn't know why she thought so, but she knew that her orphanage's destruction was her fault. Her friends were still hugging her, even the boys. She had dropped the letter and she knew that the other members of the team were reading it. Seconds later the whole team was gathered around her, but all of them knew that they could say nothing to comfort her.

"Come on dear," said Madam Pomfrey.

She pulled Amy to her feet and guided her out of the locker rooms. Amy had stopped crying. She just walked, staring blankly ahead. Pomfrey had her arm around her.

Aria was dead. Dead . . . dead . . . DEAD! And Johnny--the cute little muggle boy who was like a little brother to Amy. He was gone . . . gone . . . DEAD! Alex, the nine year old girl who was obsessed with fashion, she had been so funny to play dress-up with. But now she was--dead! Danny, the four year old who wanted to fly an airplane . . . dead! Mark . . . the little boy who was always protecting people and who wanted to be a night when he grew up . . . dead! Martha, the director of the orphanage, she was like a parent to all of them . . . DEAD! All of them, her whole family . . . DEAD! They were all DEAD!

She went up to Dumbledore. His eyes were no longer twinkling. He stared down at Amy and she stared up at him.

"No one," she whispered. "No one survived? Are you sure?"

"I'm afraid that I am," said the headmaster. He put a hand on Amy's shoulder. "Do you wish to go collect what is left of their possessions?"

Amy nodded mutely. "I need to do this," she croaked finally.

Professor McGonagall put a hand on her shoulder. Amy had no memory of Professor McGonagall being so tender.

"Mr. Lupin and I will take you down," she said. "Mr. Lupin needs to inspect the place. If you find anything suspicious, report it to him."

Amy nodded again. They left the room and headed down the moving staircase. A black dog followed them. Amy knew that it was Black; she didn't want to look at him. She could never remember feeling so terrible. Her stomach seemed to have a hole in it all of its contents were leaking slowly and painfully away. She kept going over the names of the kids in the orphanage and telling herself that they were dead.

They made their way down to the entrance hall, where a carriage was waiting for them. They climbed inside and Amy stared at the floor. She was scared. She didn't want to see the ruin of her home.

A New Day was a strange place. The children there were so kind and loving. Most people Amy met said that orphanages were completely devoid of love, but not in A New Day. At her orphanage, there was love she remembered when she first came to A New Day . . .

* * *

"This way, honey," said the kind faced woman who was holding Amy's baby sister, Aria.

She led her to a room where three other kids Amy's seemed to be waiting for something. When she entered, they all jumped from their chairs and approached her cautiously.

"Amy, this is Haden," said the lady, gesturing to a boy with dark hair, a tan face and blue eyes. He grinned and Amy returned it, rather weakly. "And this is Kayla," she now gestured to a girl with blonde hair and slightly freckled face. She smiled, as Haden had, and Amy grinned back politely. "And this is Ralph," she put her had on the closest boy's shoulder. He had read hair, gray eyes and dirt at the end of his nose.

"Hullo," he muttered, looking at his feet and shuffling them.

"Hi," said Amy.

"Amy," said the woman, Martha. "Haden, Kayla, and Ralph are your age. They'll show you around, won't you kids?"

The boys and girl nodded.

"I'm going to take your sister to the nursery, you may visit her when you like, just ask your counselor. Okay?"

Amy nodded. From that day on, Ralph, Kayla, and Haden were her friends.

* * *

Amy's eyes were burning, but she held back tears. McGonagall, Lupin and the dog were all staring at her. She stared out the window, now Hogsmeade was coming into view. Amy thought her best friends.

When Amy had left for Hogwarts, her friendship with Ralph, Kayla and Haden had not changed. Even though she had friends at Hogwarts, it didn't change her relationship with them. They were like family. Everyone at A New Day was. Aria was family. They were all muggles, except for Aria. But she loved them. And now they were dead. They were all gone!

Amy wiped her eyes. She didn't want to cry in front of her Transfiguration teacher and former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. When they got off the carriage, Lupin led the way to The Three Broomsticks. They went by floo power to the village on the outskirts of which A New Day was located.

The town was called Elysium. She loved it there; everyone was so pleasant. When she stepped out of the small pub where the floo powder had taken them, Amy gasped. Some of the buildings were on fire. She stared around. Two dead bodies were being removed from the scene. The candy shop was reduced to cinders; the ice cream next door was still on fire. It was complete chaos. Her eyes darted all around the town she had grown to love. Way above them, the Dark Mark floated; it seemed to grinning at her in a sinister manner.

"No . . . !" she whispered, tears blossoming over her face.

She stared towards her orphanage. There was another Dark Mark. She stared around, wanting to find someone familiar. Every muggle that she spotted had a glazed look on their face. They wouldn't remember a thing. Everywhere she saw wizards, removing traces that anything magic had happened. When they were finished, it would look like a fire had hit, nothing more.

She trudged up the path that led to A New Day, or what was left of it. It was destroyed. The rubble crunched under her feet as she stepped closer to the ruin that had been her home. Tears flowed in rivers down her face.

"My home," Amy whispered. "My home!"

No one came to comfort her; for which she was glad, no words or actions could make her feel any better. There were no wizards or witches here. The scene was untouched, except for some shovels, where someone had apparently been digging.

Amy wandered miserably around the wreckage. She didn't have to dig at all; some of the frame of the building still remained. Half of the wall of the bedroom for six and seven year old girls still was still standing. A pink blanket lay underneath a broken bed.

"Aria!" Amy muttered as she darted over to it and scooped it up.

She was well aware of the fact that Professor McGonagall was trailing her. But she didn't hesitate to hold the filthy blanket close to her heart.

"I'm sorry, my sister," Amy whispered, with tears so intense that they were dripping from her lips. "I've failed you. I'm so sorry."

Amy walked around, still holding the blanket to her chest. Suddenly, a piece of paper caught her eye, it was unscathed. A vain hope coursed through Amy. Maybe . . . just maybe . . .

Amy turned it over, and read:

Amy--

Maybe this will teach you not to betray me again. Yes, I know about that. Do not volunteer for any missions from Dumbledore again. Even with the best intentions, it could ruin everything, and it will kill those you love.

Amy's heart sank. This was from Voldemort. Even his handwriting made chills run down her spine. But sadness and fear quickly faded from Amy's heart, replaced with a new emotion: anger . . . fury . . . no, rage!

But her soul was still in pain. Instead of going berserk, she tried to rip the letter in half. It had an indestructible spell on it. Amy kicked a piece of rubble. She let out a strangled cry that sounded like a loud whimper more than anything else. Then she slumped to her knees, her arms went limp in her lap and she let go of the letter.

She wept. It was all that she could do. Her shoulders rose and fell and tears fell into her palms and on to the shredded pieced of building. McGonagall picked up the letter and read it. When she was finished, she stared down at Amy through her square spectacles.

"It's my fault," Amy sobbed. "They're dead because of me . . . because of me! It's my fault . . . all my fault!"

McGonagall just stared at Amy, unsure what to say. Amy held the blanket closer to her. Her read Quidditch robes seemed to be blue because of her sadness. Lupin and the dog had joined them now. Sirius stared down at Amy when he finished reading the message. He wanted to comfort her but knew that it was not possible. They left her alone.

Amy collected a teddy bear, a hair clip in the shape of a butterfly, locket, and a picture. Her eyes burned and tears came in a greater rush down her face. The teddy bear was named Arthur. He was the school bear; you hugged him when you were sad or upset. Before the attack, he was fluffy and white, with a pink nose and a red tie. Now the fur was matted, blackish, and filthy, there was a rip on the chest. The hair clip had belonged to Kayla. Amy had an identical clip in her jewelry box under her bed. The locket and the picture were far more painful. The locket belonged to Aria. It had a wizard picture of her and Amy hugging each other and smiling. The picture, which was singed at the edges, was a picture of the entire orphanage; it had belonged to a boy named Christopher. Chris had been a funny little eight year old. He loved to have pillow fights and tickle tackles; he knew how to make everyone in the orphanage smile. But he was dead . . . DEAD! They were all dead!

They headed back down to the village. All of the things that Amy had found were rapped in the blanket. Tears didn't come down her face any more, instead she stared blankly ahead. Shock had settled upon her--shock and guilt. She would never see them again--never. No more telling her beloved stories. No more piggyback rides to give. No visits to the ice cream shop. No more dishes Tuesdays. No more Dinner Night, where Amy's group would make dinner. They would never do anything fun with one another again. She would never see her family again.

They flooed back to the Three Broomsticks, went back to Hogwarts by carriage, and entered the deserted entrance hall. Amy placed the bundle in her arms in a box and carried it up to Gryffindor tower. It was empty except for Amy's friends and the team (there was also Hermione Granger, but Amy didn't notice her). Amy went upstairs without even looking at them.

She dressed in her nightgown and sat down on the bed. She stared at the box. She didn't want to put it under her bed--she didn't want to forget. So she put it on the bedside table. Joanne appeared in the doorway. Amy could see the other girls continue to climb upwards. Joanne crossed the room and sat down on Amy's bed, staring at her.

"Amy?" she said.

"It's all my fault," Amy said at last.

Joanne got up and closed the door then she went back to Amy and hugged her.

"It's not your fault," she said. "How could it be?"

"I went on that mission," Amy choked. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to stare into her friends blue eyes. "Voldemort wrote a message, it said--it said, 'don't volunteer for any missions from Dumbledore again. It will kill those that you love!' Joanne, I've failed my family. It really is my fault."

Joanne put her arms around Amy once more and held her more tightly than before.

"Amy," she said. "I wasn't you fault. I don't how to prove it to you but it wasn't your fault--and you know it. You're my best friend and if can do anything for you, I will."

These words did not sound recited, or planned. They sounded like they had come strait from Joanne's heart. Amy grinned.

"Thanks Joe," she said.

They went to sleep, or at least Joanne did. Amy stayed awake for a while. She went over one of the bedtime stories that she would always tell the younger kids. She imagined their laughter, gasps and contented smiles when she finished.

* * *

She eventually slipped into dreams that were filled with children's screams and green light. Voldemort's eyes stared at her. They burned her skin. And there was Aria, screaming and crying. She spotted Amy and yelled out reaching for her hand.

"Amy!" she cried.

Amy reached for her outstretched hand. But some unknown force was pulling Aria away, screaming and sobbing as it did so. She yelled for Amy to help her.

"Don't leave me!" she wailed. "Don't leave me, Amy!"

"Hold on Aria!" Amy cried.

But her darling sister was fading away calling out her name, but her voice, too, was fading. Finally, she was gone. But Amy's torture was not yet over. Ralph was lying on the ground, staring at a wand, which was floating in midair. His gray eyes were terrified. Amy ran to save him, but there was blast of green light and his body ebbed out of her sight.

"No! Ralph!" she yelled.

The same happened to Kayla and Haden.

"Noooooo!" she sobbed. "No, please! Don't take them, please!"

She saw more children disappear. There normally smiling faces, horrorstruck. They screamed and cried out her name. Amy began to fall and she could hear Aria's voice in the distance. Calling for Amy to help her. She fell and fell and fell . . .

"Aria!" Amy said loudly as she sat bolt upright and stared around. "What . . . I'm safe in my room . . . it was all a dream!"

Joanne was still fast asleep. Amy lay back down. It was all a dream. Her heart ached as she remembered Aria. She cried herself to sleep.

When Amy woke the sunlight was creeping through the curtains. It was daytime. She checked her watch

12:39 a.m.

It was really p.m. but her watch was always twelve hours ahead. She found a note on her bedside table. She read it.

Dear Ammster,

Professor McGonagall said that you don't have to go to classes until next week. You weren't awake for breakfast so I brought you some toast, sausage, and eggs. McGonagall says that you should probably stay in our dormitory for today. The story is that you are feeling ill. I'll bring you lunch. I told Dave, Jase and Derek, by the way. They were really worried. See you soon.

Love,

Joe

P.S. don't worry I got loads of ketchup!

Amy put down the piece of paper. She spotted a bundle of food. She could tell that a warming spell had been place on it. She wasn't hungry, but she still smiled. She headed for the Gryffindor girls' showers. Amy knew that no one would be in there. She could take a nice long shower. Amy knew that all she needed now was ways to comfort herself.

She collected a red towel and headed down the narrow spiral passageway that ended in a large, stone, circular room with about forty-five showers inside. She climbed inside it and twitched the curtains shut. As she bathed, she remembered the conversation that she and Aria had had before she left for Hogwarts at the beginning of the school year . . .

* * *

"Amy?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I--may I--talk to you?"

Amy almost laughed. Aria had been correcting her speech lately so that the other older kids wouldn't. She turned to the scrawny little girl with dark red hair and green eyes who was standing near her bed.

"Certainly you can?" Amy said, smiling.

Aria was a little small for her age, meaning that Amy could pick her up more easily. She hoisted her onto the bed and into her lap.

"Are you done packing?" Aria asked.

"Still got to squeeze you in," Amy said quietly.

"Wish I really could come, or you could stay with me," said Aria miserably.

"I have way that we can do both," said Amy mysteriously.

"Really?" asked her sister excitedly.

Amy reached over to her wardrobe, which stood right next to her bed, and picked up a purple, velvet box. She opened it carefully while Aria peered eagerly into inside. She pulled out a gold heart on a golden chain. It had "Aria" engraved into the front of it. Aria gasped.

Amy placed it gracefully around her neck. Aria knew it was a locket and opened it. A wizarding picture of Amy and Aria holding each other close, beaming and waving. The photographic Amy planted a loving kiss on her sister's cheek.

"Wow, Amy!" said Aria. "And you have one too?"

"Yes," said Amy. "Now, you can't show this to anyone here. They won't know what a wizarding picture is. The wizarding world's a secret, remember?"

"Okay Amy, I won't show it to no one! I promise."

"Now, I can have your love where ever I go and you will always have my love, even without the locket."

Amy kissed her cheek and then kissed the locket. A soft bell rang; it was time for bed.

* * *

Amy stepped out of the shower. She redressed in her Hogwarts robes and headed up the stairs. She sat down on the bed, wondering what she was going to do all day. She was still tired from her mission and playing Quidditch immediately afterwards. She lay back down and closed her eyes.

* * *

Amy was standing in a room, an old dusty room with a fire blazing in the hearth and a snake curled up next to it. Amy knew that snake, it was named Nagini, and she was Voldemort's pet. Nagini happed to like Amy, which greatly disturbed her.

"Master," said a short, balding man. He was ringing his hand, one of which was silver. "My Lord, they are all dead. But the young one, what do want me to do with her?"

"Put her in the dungeons," said a cold high-pitched voice that made Amy shiver. "Do not keep her stunned. Give her food and drink. Keep her alive. Do not torture her and have Lucius make sure that she cannot escape. Give her a blanket and pillow and leave her. Don't tell any one that we have her. If you do, you will be very sorry indeed."

"Yes, I will Master," said the short man.

"Soon I will have loyal queen," said the cold, chilling voice. "I will be invincible. Everything is going according to plan."

The scene dissolved and Amy was floating in green smoke. Voldemort was laughing; his laughter rang in her ears. Then she heard screaming, petrified screams. It was Aria's.

"Amy, save me!" she shrieked, "Amy! Amy! Help me!"

* * *

"Amy! Amy! Amy, wake up!"

Someone was shaking her awake.

"Wha . . . what?"

"Amy you were dreaming," said Joanne's voice. "It's okay now. Wake up!"

Amy opened her eyes. She was still in her dormitory. It was safe. No screaming Aria, no laughing Voldemort. It was all, okay.

"Joanne?"

It was indeed Joanne. She looked worried.

"I'm fine," Amy said quickly. "Thanks."

"I thought you were having a seizure or something when I walked in," she said. She sounded relieved. "You were shaking, and whimpering. You're sure that you're all right?"

"Yeah," said Amy. "I just had a dream and . . ."

She fell silent. Joanne seemed to know what was going through her mind, she said, "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I brought you some lunch, but I see that you didn't eat your breakfast. So if you're not hungry--"

"I am," Amy lied.

Joanne handed her a bundle of food and Amy took it. It was steak and kidney pudding. She stuck a fork into it and began to force the food down her throat. Joanne pulled out a piece of parchment.

"This is our homework," she said, handing Amy the parchment. "We got lucky today, Defense Against the Dark Arts was canceled today. Jason kept grumbling and asking why it couldn't be potions."

Amy grinned. "Why'd they cancel Dark Arts?"

"D'know, I think Delacour isn't here or something," said Joanne.

"Hmm," said Amy. "Listen, Joe, the funeral for the whole orphanage is tomorrow. Will you go?"

"Sure," said Joanne. "I'll ask Jase, Dave, and Derek too, since it's not a good idea if you leave the dorm."

"Will you?" said Amy. "That'd be great! Thanks Joe."

Author's Note: Okay, I know that this chapter is cruel and sad, but this is what caused the terror that Voldemort is said to have inspired. Also, Amy needs a reason to hate Voldemort. Weather she forgives him or not is what you'll have to find out. Oh, and I know they were stupid names, but they just popped into my head.