Aradia

It was a gorgeous night as I walked down the dark, hidden path, the great Hogwarts castle looming up in front of me.

I'd sent word to Dumbledore to meet me at the entrance gate. He knew I was coming. I don't know how many others knew. He'd said in a previous letter it had been hard getting me in.

I was 15, due to join the fifth year at Hogwarts School. I could see in front of me the carraiges used to bring the students from the train station to the school. All the other children, I presumed, were already at the school. I hadn't been able to get to the platform, since I was travelling with my father. I'd been on the move most of my life, but my father had said it was time for me to try and settle down. He had left this morning, leaving me with my bag and Telia, my owl. She was a gorgeous creamy white colour with bright chestnut eyes. I'd had her since I was about 9 when Dad and I needed to get messages to people. i reached the entrance gate, hoping to see Dumbledore standing there, instead I found a man with black hair and a crooked nose. I knew him. We'd met before. Severus Snape had come to meet me. He just looked down at me and smiled a smile, nt of happiness.

'Aradia. It's nice of you to join us. I'll take you to see Professor Dumbledore. He is waiting for you.' He turned to go, but I said,

'Why has he not come to meet me?' Without looking back he replyed,

'You will find out in good time.' And with that he walked off, black robes billowing out behind him in the slight breeze. I followed him up to the castle.

We walked in silence through the castle, until Snape stopped next to a gargoyle. He whispered something that sounded like 'Humbug', then the gargoyle moved. It stepped aside and a door appeared, which Snape walked through and I followed him up the spiral staircase. Behind me I heard the gargoyle move back to hide the secret door to what I guesses was Dumbledore's office.

As I stood outside the great stone door Snape continued to watch me, like I was about to do something unexpected. While I waited I turned to look out of the window. It was dark, though I could still make out most things, and anyway it was eerie the way Snape was looking at me.

I knew one of the reasons was because he knew my Dad. My Dad hadn't told me what had happened, but I remember him saying about some huge thing involving a boy called Severus Snape.

Snape obviously knew things I didn't. A noise made me jolt back to reality and I realised the door was opening and Snape was going inside. The office was amazing. There were so many books and objects, from all over the world probably. Seated at the desk was Dumbledore himself. He looked just like I remembered him, when he visited my father. I was about ten at the time. I remember them talking for hours. Whenever I asked about it my father always said 'I'll tell you when you're older,' or 'I'll tell you when you're ready.' It was really annoying when he said that, and I still don't really know. All I'd managed to guess was that it was to do with my future.

The only people in the office with were me, Snape and Dumbledore. I assumed everyone else was in bed, considering it was about midnight.

'Welcome to Hogwarts Aradia,' Dumbledore said, in his soft, calm voice. 'I believe you know Professor Snape?' I nodded. 'Well, your father knows of the arrangements, they have been sorted out and you know the rules and everything? Your father explained them?'

'Yes.' I remember because it took him over an hour to do so. However this was the only school to accept me at the beginning of the fifth year, and considering what I was. Yes. I'm a vampire, as is my father. As for my mother... I don't know. She was killed when I was 4 by a person I don't know. My Dad said she was an incredibly powerful witch and an enchantress. It is said I look like her, small, green eyes, long brown hair. Though I haven't seen many photos to compare myself to her so I couldn't say. At that moment Dumbledore was talking to Snape.

'Right Aradia. You'll go with Professor Snape for now, and then we'll sort you into a house on Wednesday night. That gives you three days to get to know the school and you will join lessons with the fifth year students tomorrow. Severus will give you a timetable. Goodnight.'

I followed Snape to the Slytherin common room. He whispered the password and we walked in. Snape went to a drawer and pulled out a timetable and handed it to me. I suddenly realised I didn't have my bag. I must've left in Dumbledore's office. I started to speak, but Snape interupted me.

'Your belongings are up in the girls dormitory. Your owl in the owlery. The room is upsatirs and down to your right. Goodnight.' And with that he left through the portrait hole. I went towards the stairs and made my way up them. My footsteps were silent on the stone floor, but that was just instinct.

In the dormitory I saw my bag at the end of an empty bed. I lay down on it fully clothed and placed my timetable on the bedside table. I closed my eyes, exhausted from walking all day, and was asleep in moments.

I awoke to the sound of whispering. I sat up slowly, the brightness from the window almost blinding me, to see five pairs of eyes staring sat me. I looked at them and smiled.

'So who are you?' one of them said. She wore frilly pink pyjamas and looked to be the leader of the lot. I looked her in the eye and said

'Cady. You?' Instead of answering she said

'Why are you here?'

'Well,' I said, 'I'm here to join fifth year. Is that a problem?' Some of the other girls hid a smile. They obviously hadn't had anybody else speak to their leader like that.

'Well if you're joining us-'

'I haven't been sorted yet,' I interupted. She stopped, stared at me a moment, then continued

'I'm Pansy. This is Tanya, Lily, Robin and Kim.' They each nodded at their names. 'So where you from?'

'All over.'

'All over what?'

'All over the world. I travelled a lot. That's why I wasn't here at the beginning of the first year if you're wondering.' Pansy looked at me some more before nodding. I think it meant that she has accepted me as part of their group. Still I wasn't going to betray the fact that I'm a vampire. I needed to survive three years of this before I can go back to my father on the road. I stood up

'Love to chat, but I need a shower before class. Been travelling all night.' I grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom. At least I survived the first test. Fitting in with those Slytherins would be no problem. Especially with that bimbo, Pansy, for a leader.

I came out wearing jeans and a black shirt. I didn't have any school robes at the moment and I'd been living in muggle land so I only had muggle clothes. They'd have to do. While the other girls got ready I looked at my timetable. My subjects were Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, History of Magic, Astrology ,Charms and then Care of magical Creatures and Study of Ancient Runes. That morning I had Transfiguration and Herbology followed by double Potions in the afternoon. This should be fun, I thought. When I was first walking up the path towards Hogwarts it felt really daunting. Now I was here I thought it was going to be a doddle. Even fitting in with the students would be simple, especially if they're as stupid as Pansy.

I went down to breakfast with Pansy and co. and sat at the Slytherin table. The Great Hall was full of people, all, or most, keyed up for lessons. I sat for a while and watched them all talking. I have to say it felt weird sitting amongst all the people. Usually I kept away from big crowds, but I was sure I'd get used to it.

'Aren't you going to eat something?' Pansy said in my ear. I turned.

'Oh, um... yeah.' Normal food wasn't what I usually had. I could eat it, but it wasn't beneficial. Blood was what kept me alive.

My first two lessons passed quite quickly. In Transfiguration I joined in with cross-species switches, but I wasn't really sure what I was doing. Herbology was easy. I knew many herbs and plants as I'd seen or used them while travelling, having to eat them, use them for healing etc. though our bodies tend to heal well by themselves.

After lunch was Potions, which I was dreading. One, because I'd never had to use Potions so I knew nothing about them and two because Snape would be there watching me make all my mistakes.

As Pansy and I walked down to the dungeons I kept looking round. Familiarising myself with my surroundings. There were many cracks and crevices down here for hiding places, which may come in handy one day. Waiting outside already were the Slytherin boys. I looked at them and I thought I recognised one of them. He had pale blond hair and cool grey eyes and was talking to another boy with brown hair. As we neared they looked up. The one with blond hair looked at Pansy then at me. Pansy sauntered up to him.

'Hi Draco,' she said in her, now annoying, high pitched voice. Wait. Did she say Draco?

'Draco Malfoy?' I said out loud. He smiled a sly smile. Then, disengaging himself from Pansy, he walked over to me and stopped. He gave me a once over then said

'And you are?' I stared back at him.

'Cady.' I paused before adding, 'You didn't answer my question.'

'Yeah I'm Malfoy. I don't know you, so why you here?'

'I'm just about to have a Potions lesson. That a problem?'

'I didn't say so. So why should there be?'

'Don't know. You're the one asking the questions.' He smiled, satisfied that I could join him and be one of his minions, but that wasn't how it was going to be. I hated being told what to do. I could boss Pansy and that no problem. It was Draco I'd have to get with. He seemed to think he was in control. I was about to speak when I heard footsteps. Turning around I saw a load of Gryffindors coming down the steps. I'd have to talk to Draco later.

Even though I'd never seen Harry Potter I was able to guess who he was. It was strange though. His green eyes looked so similar to mine. I didn't have much time to think as Draco said something to the bushy-haired girl next to Harry. I think her name is Hermione. Then instantly the red haired guy, who I knew was Ron, replyed to Draco's insult. I smiled seeing the inter-house relationships.

'Who's that?' Someone said. I turned to face Ron, eventhough he was talking to Draco.

'"That" has a name!' I retorted to Ron. He looked at me.

'So who are you?'

'Ron. As a matter of fact I've been in your last two classes,' I paused. He seemed a bit surprised I knew his name. 'My name is Cady and I have joined Hogwarts for fifth year.' I stopped. My ears picked up the footsteps of someone on the atone floor. I looked behind the Gryffindors to see Snape coming to take his lesson. What was good about being a vampire was having extra sensitive senses. They come in handy in certain situations. As I watched Snape join the class the other students turned to see him.

'Class, you may enter,' he said, once we were in speaking distance. I was about to walk in when Snape stopped me with his hand. I turned and he whispered, 'You're father has sent your robes and they reside in my office. Follow me.' I followed him into the room. Most people were sat down I noticed as I followed him to the front of the class. Off to the side was an old green door. Snape entered and came back a minute later with a black duffle bag, containing my robes. I took them and said,

'Thanks.' I turned to find the only seat available was the one in front of Draco Malfoy. Great, I thought. I wanted to watch him. You can learn a lot from people just watching them. Oh well, I thought. I sat down as Snape started talking.

'Class. Today will be the day you start your projects. You will work in pairs, which I have already chosen, and now Aradia has joined us there is no odd person. Your pairs are as follows.' Snape read out the names of everyone and in the background I could here the groans and cries of joy from students getting good or bad partners. 'And finally Aradia will be partnering Mr Malfoy.' At this I didn't know whether to be happy or not. I suppose it would be a chance to get to know him, although how would that impression affect people's feelings towards me around the rest of the school. I'd just have to deal with it as it comes. I turned around to join Draco's desk, like the others were doing, and I noticed a sly smile appear on his face. He casually placed an elbow on the table and whispered

'Guess I should be lucky getting to work with you. You being the er new girl and all. Guess I should show you the ropes.' He looked me in the eye, then down at the desk as a piece of parchment dropped on to it. I assumed the task was written on it so I picked it up.

'You have two weeks to complete the assignment. There is no excuse for it not to be finished by then,' Snape's voice sounded over the noise. I looked at the parchment and read it aloud

Fifth Year Potions Assignment

Love Potions are one of the darkest of the Dark Arts, but they

never actually involve the element of love.

Study the main love potions and investigate how they

affect the user in to thinking they are in love.

Deadline - Monday 22 September

I put the parchment back on the table. Wow this'll be fun. I know nothing about love potions. Though, casting a few looks round the class, it looks like this lot haven't a clue either.

'I really can't be bothered to do this,' I heard Draco whisper.

'Neither can I,' I replyed.

'So what's the deal? Why have you suddenly come to Hogwarts?' he paused then added, 'Did you get expelled elsewhere?'

'No,' I said straight away. 'No I um... was travelling a lot with my father before. Then he decided I needed to settle down so he talked to Dumbledore and here I am.' It was mostly the truth so if I wanted to be honest later I could, as lying meant complications later.

'So who is your father?' I debated lying, but I didn't think it mattered if he knew my father's name.

'Otto Dagaz. You probably haven't heard of him. He's not a famous wizard.' He nodded. 'So what about your Dad? Get on with him alright.' There'd been rumours about abuse. I wanted it cleared.

'Yeah... um... he's good. Up in the ministry and stuff.'

'Hm... yeah.

'Hm yeah what?

'Hm yeah as in is that the truth or lies. 'Cos you hear stories on the road.'

'Like what?'

'Oh you know death eaters, the 'V' man, home abuse.'

'The 'V' man?' He smiled.

'What? That's what we called him.' I smiled in return. At least he wasn't trying to win points against me anymore. Maybe this friendship could work. I'd heard more in depth stories of course, but there was no need to elaborate just yet. I wanted to wait to see what he volunteered.

The rest of the lesson was spent talking to Draco, then pretending to do work when Snape walked past. He talked about how Hogwarts worked, about Quidditch and the "good" and "bad" people. I simply nodded. I said about the countries I'd been to and the languages that I'd learnt there.

After the lesson finished I went with the Slytherins back to the common room. Draco said he wanted to wokr on the project and we went to his quiet empty dormitory. He sat on his bed and loked at me with those cool grey eyes.

'You can elaborate now,' he said.

'What?'

'You can explain to me all that you didn't downstairs.'

'I don't understand,' I tried, but

'Oh come on. I'm not stupid you know. I know when I'm only being told half a story. So come on, talk to me.' I smiled, maybe he wasn't as dumb as I thought.

'Well I'm impressed. No one's ever spoken to me like that before. They have either been too scared of me or wrapped up in their own silly little lives. At least you've got your eyes open.'

'Scared of you? Why would anyone be scared of you?' Now I had to be careful. I couldn't betray what I was. Not until I knew him better, but I couldn't lie outright because I needed him. If I had Draco eating out of my hand the school would be mine, and I could survive without fear.

'There are only six people who can answer that.' I slowly walked towards the bed, 'My father, Dumbledore, Snape, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (if she kept her eyes open), Voldemort.' I sat down on the bed. 'And me.' He stared at me long and hard, probably trying to see if my face woukld give anything away. I kept my face passive and waited for his question.

'Does that make you a good witch or a bad witch?' However that wasn't what I was expecting.

'That depends on what you would call a "good" or "bad" witch 'cos people have mixed views.'

'Looks like you're going to be a bad witch if you stick with me.' He started to edge closer to me. 'Does that bother you?' I knew I was going to win.

'No,' I said, smiling. 'Most people think I'm bad.' I felt his shoulder next to mine. I whispered in his ear, 'You'll just have to wait and see.' I stood up and heard him stand behind me. I was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist. I turned and stared at his cool expression and tried to keep my own face passive. His reaction wasn't what expected. 'Yes?' He moved closer. His expression was still calm and I only hoped mine was. I wasn't in control of the situation anymore. He was. He leaned in and I felt a brush of his lips on my cheek.

'I won't wait forever,' he whispered in my ear, and with that he brushed past me and left me standing there, alone, in the empty dormitory.