19

19. The last days

I closed my eyes as I stood there, enjoying the sun on my face. As I opened them again I smiled at the sight I had from up here. The black lake looked so beautiful with the orange sunrays being reflected. I loved it here. From the Astronomy Tower you had such an awesome view over the nature around Hogwarts. Right now I was enjoying the sunset and piece.

The day we returned from the Chamber of Secrets was one month ago. Time had passed so quickly. Since then there had only been a few changes. Dumbledore had come back as headmaster of Hogwarts. The minister of magic had excused himself for this mistake. Lockhart had been brought to St. Mungo's because he seemed to have lost his mind. Most of the students didn't know what he had done so they were missing him but none of the four of us were missing him the slightest. And most importantly, Hagrid had come back from Azkaban. He was so happy to be back and had tears in his eyes. Hermione was completely fine again just like all the other people who had been petrified. Professor McGonagall has kept her promise and I knew I could trust her.

Everything could be fine now if there wasn't the thought of Draco nagging in the back of my mind. I sighted. My piece was gone for now. Slowly, I made my way down the stairs hoping that no teacher would see me on my way to the great hall.

"Arya, there you are!" Someone exclaimed. When I turned around I saw my three best friends walking up to me smiling brightly. "Where have you been?" Hermione asked.

"Sorry, guys. I was on the astronomy tower and lost track of time." Apologetically, I smiled at them.

"Enjoying the piece in Hogwarts?" Harry playfully closed his eyes breathing deeply in and out. I laughed.

"Well, yes I was. And I was thinking about how I didn't want to leave."

"I understand what you mean." Harry said seriously. "I wish I could stay here instead of going back to the Dursley's." Disgust and sadness traced his voice.

"Maybe you can come over to my place again. And you too Arya!" Ron stated excited.

"Oh yes, that would be great!" Hermione exclaimed joyfully.

"Hey Arya," Harry interrupted grinning. "By the way, why did Snape burst into the office like a lunatic when we got back from the Chamber? I've never seen him like this."

"Oh that," I started laughing. "Like a lunatic, oh Harry. He wasn't being crazy. He was furious!" I couldn't stop laughing about Harry's expression. "He was angry because we did what we did and because he would have thought of me being more reasonable. His words not mine!" Now, the three of them laughed too as we made our way to the great hall. Before we could step inside, however, somebody stopped us.

"Ms. Jackson!" The stern voice of Professor McGonagall made us turn around. I wondered if I had done something wrong. Surprisingly, she was smiling at me.

"Ms. Jackson, the headmaster wishes to see you. He asked me to escort you to his office."

"Euhm, yes Professor but have I done something wrong?" I asked her with furrowed eyebrows.

"No, not at all. He only wishes to see you now." Her smile started to creep me out. I mean, I had never seen her smile so much whilst she was talking to a student.

"Reserve me a seat guys! I'll come later." I said to my friends who nodded. In their faces I could see the question marks. Showing that I had no idea either I shrugged my shoulders. Then I quickly followed Professor McGonagall who was already walking towards the stairs. We walked in silence until we reached the last stairs to the headmaster's office. She said the password and we climbed up the stairs.

"He really loves you!" She said into the silence between us. When I looked up quizzical I saw that she was smiling warmly at me.

"Honestly Professor, I don't mean to insult you but your smile is creeping me out. I mean it's a very beautiful warm smile but I've never seen you smile so much at a student." Her laugh next to me made me smile too. Then I realised what she had said before. "Wait, who loves me? And why?" Enquiring I watched her again but now she was looking straight, still wearing a bright smile. Reaching the top of the stairs she pushed open the door and stepped in, closing it behind me.

Dumbledore was standing behind his desk, his blue eyes sparkling in the light.

"Ah, there you are Aryanna. We awaited you, well Severus and especially your little friend." Smiling he pointed to something next to me – or somebody. Severus stepped forward carrying something in his arms, smiling brightly. Before I could say something, however, something small and black jumped out of his arms and run practically against my legs.

"NALA!" I shouted. The little black furred cat purred loudly as I took it up in my arms. Laughing, I buried my head in its fur. "You're alright! You're here!" I whispered in its ear. Tears of joy were running down my face and the little pink tongue tried to catch them.

As I looked up I saw the three Professor's watching me smiling. Severus was gazing at me thoughtfully. When he realised that I was looking at him he smiled. I let Nala jump down and she sat right next to myself, examining me closely. In a split second I crashed into Severus' arms, hugging him tightly. He returned it chuckling.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I spoke into his robes. "I love you so much Severus, you know that right?"

"As much as I love you, little Aryanna!" He told me smiling. I stepped back and looked up at him. With his robes he dried my tears and I laughed again.

"Now, I guess she will have to stay here over summer." Severus said watching me closely. I shrugged it off smiling. "Well, the benefits are clearly outweighing here. I mean here it's paradise for a cat. I will spend more time with her and she is safe. I won't have to worry about her anymore." I chuckled as Nala passed between my feet, her tail raised straight.

"How did you manage to get her?" I asked Severus and I could see his look going a little dark.

"Well I asked for the cat that would always be with you and one of the women working in the orphanage showed me. When I had taken it I went to the doctor's office. I had a little chat with him so you won't ever see him again." He grinned evilly. I tried to look at him sternly, failed completely however. My pleasure was overwhelming.

"What did you do, Severus?" I asked him grinning too.

"Well, I made him terminate his career. He realised that he was unsuitable for the work with children." He stated matter of fact. I knew he wasn't regretting anything of what he had done. And I trusted him that he hadn't broken any law.

"Such a pity." I exclaimed ironically. Then I couldn't waste any more thoughts at this man and turned my attention back to Nala. She was laying on Dumbledore's desk now, enjoying the scene.

"Thanks again!" I didn't know where the urge came from but I embraced Severus again. I smiled into his arms as he sneaked them around my back. Before he let go of me he kissed the top of my head.

"Always!" He looked me deeply in the eyes and smiled the smile I loved so much. Then he straightened and looked around.

"Well, I guess your friends are waiting for you, Arya." Severus gazed at Nala on the desk. "Did you tell them about that little bunch of energy?" We chuckled and I nodded.

"Yes, they know about her but I don't know how to explain that she's here now." Helpless, I watched Severus who seemed to be thinking about it. Then he sighted.

"What if you don't tell them? You have the right to have secrets and how bad could this one be." He winked slightly and watched me expectantly. "So you wouldn't have to lie."

"You're right, I guess. I mean it's not that important how she got here." I smiled at him.

"Well, I guess I need to go. Thank you, for everything, Severus!" He nodded smiling in return. With one last glance at the smiling Professor's I turned towards Nala. "You coming?" And in a split second she was up on her feet and by my side. When I looked in her eyes I saw them sparkle vigorously. I could feel her happiness and grinned.

As I made my way to the great hall Nala strutted by my side as if she had been in Hogwarts forever. "You're impossible, Nala!" I laughed at her and she passed me, tail pointing straight upwards. Quickly, I grabbed her and took her on my arms at which I earned an indignant meow. "Stop strutting around like Draco Malfoy or people will think you belong to him!" I told her warningly.

"Who struts around like me?" Draco's echoing voice scared me to death and I jumped a little.

"Damn it! Do you have to scare me like this?" I exclaimed angrily turning around. There, in the deserted corridor, stood Draco leaning against the wall, arms crossed. If I wouldn't know him like I did I would say that the smirk he was wearing was making him look sexy or like a typical bad boy.

"Never knew you're talking to animals. Is that your new little friend?" He asked nodding at Nala in my arms.

"Yes, she is and I'm speaking with animals like I talk to you, not that it matters to you anyway!" I turned around to leave but I could hear him walk next to me.

"Honestly, why can't you leave me alone?" I exhaled annoyed.

"Because I won't." Draco stated matter of fact, the smirk still evident in his voice. "And before you start rambling now, yes I know I'm annoying you because you know that you will give in one day. So I keep going with not leaving you alone!"

"Don't you think that you have a little too much confidence in your self-confidence?" I asked sarcastically.

"Nope, I'm great and irresistible!"

"I would love to wipe that smirk out of your face!" I starred darkly in front of me and he chuckled.

"Feel free." He said stretching his arms playfully.

"Nah, thanks. Not in the mood for a fight." I told him, whilst I caressed Nala's head.

"Told you, I'm too irresistible. You don't want to damage this beautiful sight!" He smirked again. And I rolled my eyes in return but couldn't suppress a small laugher.

"You'll be fun if you're older…" I mumbled. That made him start laughing. The sound of his laugh echoed in the whole corridor. When we turned around the last corner we had reached the hallway. Draco was still shaking with laugher and earned some strange looks from students on their way to dinner.

"Draco, mate, there you are!" Blaise shouted out of a crowd of Slytherins. He had always been taller than others of his age, so we saw him walking straight to us.

"What's so funny?" He asked as he had reached us. Draco was grinning wildly now putting one arm around my shoulder. Trying to get away I walked towards the entrance to the great hall. As expected he didn't give up and his arm was on my shoulder again. As I entered the hall he was walking on my right side and Blaise flanked my left side. Quickly, I scanned the Gryffindor table for my friends and saw them waving. They lowered their arms the moment they realised who was walking by my side. Draco and Blaise had spotted them too and pushed me in their direction.

"Well," Draco shouted smirking and I could see the first people staring at us. I didn't even try to make him stop. He wouldn't listen anyway. "Jackson, said that I was irresistible" Blaise started laughing and now there were even more people watching. Not only students, teachers from the teacher's table were starring too. Severus and Professor McGonagall were standing next to each other – seeming to be interrupted in their conversation – and watching us. I could see Severus's smirk as well and shot him a dark look.

"And she said that I was a beautiful sight!" Draco spoke in direction of the Slytherin's who started roaring with laugher.

"And that your parents valued the 'self' in 'self-confidence' too much!" I added grinning evilly. "Seems to run in your family, Malfoy." Now there were more laughers but Draco didn't stop smirking. We had reached my friends now so I stopped, trying to push his arm away. Pulling me even closer and smirking provocative at the Gryffindor's he lowered his head a little.

"Watch out, Aryanna Jackson, that's only the beginning." I could literally hear his smirk. Before he left with Blaise he whispered discreetly: "You'll give in!"

Not caring about all the people staring at me I sat down, exhaling loudly. My friends were watching me closely.

"What did he want?" Harry asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Oh, he's just being Malfoy. Don't worry, I can deal with him perfectly!" I assured him smiling.

"ARYA!" Hermione screamed suddenly, giving me another heart attack and more audience.

"Merlin! Why does everybody need to scare me to death?!" I exclaimed enraged.

"Arya, what is this in your arms?" Hermione asked pointing at the black furred ball that had tried to hide in my robes. I looked at Nala and smiled, pulling her on my lap properly.

"Guys, that's Nala. My cat I told you about." Hermione seemed charmed as Nala looked around the great hall. I could see that she loved cats.

"How about a cat for you, Hermione?" I asked her smiling. Grinning she nodded.

"Yes, I've been thinking about it for some time now. But I never talked with my parents about it."

"Well, I'm sure they'll agree. If it comes to the worst, you can leave it with Hagrid. I'm sure he'll take care of it over the summer." I assured her.

"I think one cat is enough!" Ron exclaimed loudly. "Poor Scabbers, he's not the youngest and cats are known to eat birds, mice and rats."

"Oh, don't worry! Nala knows the difference between wild and domestic animals." I told him but he scoffed as an answer. Then our conversation was interrupted by the food coming on the tables.

Sadly, the day of returning to the orphanage came too fast. All the students were eager to see their families again but Harry and I weren't. I had talked to Hagrid about Nala and he had agreed to take care of her. I had said my goodbyes to Hagrid, Nala and Severus. He had given me new books about Potions and Healing, saying that it would occupy me for some time. Sighting, I entered the train, thinking about the long boring summer.