Forbidden

- 6-

The young witch chose to walk there because although Dumbledore knew about Alfie it didn't make him very pleased and it was probably against the rules to keep a house elf at school, that's why Alfie was always in the kitchens or about his business.

She knocked on the door, it was late, however she knew he was always awake until late.

"Headmaster?"

"Come in..." his hoarse voice replied muffled by the wooden door.

She made her way in, both hand behind her back, with nice posture, almost like a soldier reporting to her superior.

"Professor, why was my father on Hogwarts grounds?"

Dumbledore was sitting back on his chair, it seemed he was actually napping before she knocked.

"I allowed it...he said he wanted to 'make peace with his daughter' and as I informed you that would be in our interest..."

"Our interest?...He almost chocked the life out of me this time, Harry saw the whole thing..."

"I apologize for that Ms Rowle, he shall be banished from the grounds...however" He stood up from his chair, glancing at her through his half moon glasses, "I did want you to make peace with him..."

"I know, I'm sorry..."

"We need eyes and ear on the inside Ms Rowle, not on the outside..."

Madison looked to the ground, trying to avoid his gaze, feeling a punch to her stomach just from imagining going back to her house.

"Also, professor, I think..." Madison started, "Harry needs to practice occlumency, I had access to him so easy, I can't imagine what a better legilimens can do, I wasn't even trying"

Dumbledore brushed his beard, "As I suspected...I have been avoiding Potter for that very reason, he is an open door to us as he is now, I will see to that...thank you Ms Rowle"

She was about to turn on her heel when started speaking again, "If you want out Madison, now would be the time...sleep on it"

The young witch nodded.

"You are stronger than you think young one" he said before she left, closing the door behind her.

-

The next day Madison got ready with her full uniform, skirt, high knee socks, shirt, tie and all. She put her hair up in her messy bun with her deep purple velvet ribbon bow. She had two classes in the morning and two in the afternoon, one of which she was actually hesitant to go, DADA with the new member of staff: Umbridge.

She avoided eye contact with other tables, not wanting to talk to anyone. Luna and Cho talked about their summer.

"Girls, I'm heading to class, see you" she said grabbing her black leather satchel, and a couple of books in her hand. She saw Harry was making his way to her from afar, Madison swallowed the knot on her throat and walked past him, leaving him with a confused expression on his face.

Draco watched the whole scene from the Slytherin table, discreetly smirking as he finished eating.

She sat far from both of them during the morning lessons and bolted out of the classrooms before anyone could talk to her, she'd skip lunch in the library at her favorite corner between the tall shelves, with the large window that had a pretty view of the castle.

Madison was reading her charms book, when her peripheral vision identified a tall platinum blond boy approach her at the start of the bookshelf. She didn't look up from her book, pretending not to see him.