Who Would Have Thought (Harry Potter Fan-Fiction)

Secrets and Regrets

Do you know what it feels like, staring into a mirror, but instead of what you really feel, you only see what you long for; yourself smiling.
But you don't feel right, you're forcing yourself to smile. That's what she felt when she was in the girls bathroom, it hadn't been used for a while. It was great for when she wanted to be left alone.

It had been a long time since her last prank on Maria, almost two months and she deeply regretted it.
Audrey had to meet Professor Dumbledore everyday so that they could watch over her out-bursts. It was clear that if she passed the year, that her grades would be below average. There was no point in catching up anyway, not in her eyes. The Carrows were her closest friends in Slytherin, but they preferred sticking together. Nobody could blame them for avoiding trouble and drama.

"Snap out of it, Weasley.", Snape sneered as he mixed the purple goo.
"Professor, what actually is that goo?"

He sighed and kept on stirring, "It's an antidote."

"Against what?"

"That one time you broke your arm and somebody injected you with a poison."

"I know who it was."

"So do I.", Snape threw in the familiar blue flowers. "There is nothing we can do at the moment."

"So you'll let me be killed, rather than take action?"

Snape shook his head, "You won't be killed. Please promise you won't tell anyone yet, not even Dumbledore."

"Promises are burdens.", her eyes were dull and empty, "I have enough burdens."

"I know.", he sighed, "But we've all got our part in this."

"All right.", she avoided his eye contact and downed the purple goo, "I promise."

George sneezed and an almost invisible powder flew towards Fred. He smirked as he watched his brother turn green.

"Well, seems like our new invention works! Audrey, mix this into Malfoy's drink or something."George smiled as he passed her a little sack with the powder.

"Thanks, I guess." she still was upset but eager for some bittersweet revenge.

"What does it do?"

"Makes you turn green and let's say, empty your tummy a little." Audrey watched Fred run out of the hall "I think you shouldn't have tested it on him though..."

"Yeah, well it's too late for that now, I'll go check on him and bring him to Madam Pomfrey, see ya."

School was dreadful and she no longer even tried to compete against Hermione. "Have you finished the Transfiguration homework yet?"
She shook her head, "I was busy."

"You sure you don't want to take a look at mine?", Audrey smiled and shook her head, "I'll do it by tomorrow."
Hermione sighed and packed away her books, "Then I'll see you at dinner."

"Yes, see you."

It was spring, but the lake was darker than usual. Audrey enjoyed sitting at the edge and staring into the water, even if there were rumors that something might pull her in if she got too close.

How could they let Quirrel get away?

Her arm tingled whenever he got close.

"Is something wrong?", Oliver plopped down beside her, "You look down."

She shook her head, "Just tired.", she smiled at him, "How is Maria?"

He shrugged, "I'm starting to think she isn't interested in Quidditch as much as you said."

Audrey laughed, "What makes you think that?"

"She stares a lot and when I ask her something she never knows, although I just explained it to her."

"Yeah, she's more interested in you than Quidditch, sorry.", he laughed.

"When I was your age, I was staring at Quidditch stars, not the opposite gender!"

Audrey laughed, "Yeah, Maria always was slightly more ahead of all the other girls."

He pulled her closer, "I wish it wouldn't be so hard for girls and guys to be friends, without everyone getting the wrong idea.", Audrey looked up at him, "Like you and me, Audrey. You are an amazing friend."

"Thanks.", she rested her head on his shoulder, "So are you, Oliver.", he stood up and helped her up.

"Now can we please get away from this lake, I heard people say it is cursed or something and it's giving me the willies."

"Hey Oliver!", Maria ran behind the two friends and stopped in her tracks.

"Audrey?", the red-head smiled at Oliver and said goodbye.

"Wait! Audrey!", Oliver tried to stop her, but she walked faster. "I hope she's okay."

"So do I.", Maria whispered under her breath.
Maybe one day Maria would speak to her again.

Ron, Hermione and Harry had told her about their incredible discoveries. They were hesitant when telling her about anything, they knew she had enough on her plate. A half-giant called Hagrid had become a part of the golden trios friends. As much as she wished she could take part in their adventures, she spent most of her time with the professors. They even found a giant dog with three heads, but they believed that Snape was the bad guy. The worst part was not being allowed to tell them anything.

"Are you sad?"

Dumbledore smiled at her from his chair. "I miss my friends."

"You see them everyday."

"But I don't get to adventure with them and I have to keep so many secrets."

"Secrets?", she nodded. Even secrets from him.

"Well until we know that the poison is completely out of your system, we'll need to keep you close. Draco Malfoy could have been severely hurt."

"It has been over two months though.", she kicked the ground and stroked Fawkes.

"What did you dream about last night?"

"I was in the woods again with Tom Riddle."

"What did you two talk about?"

She rested her head on her hand, "School and regrets."

"So current events?"

"Yes, although it's just like back then. He is so kind again, not like during the winter break."

"I see.", he chewed on one of his spicy treats, "What regrets?"

Audrey shrugged, "Where do I start?"

He smiled, "We have more than enough time."

"I never told you what happened when I broke my arm.", she muttered.

"I was marked.", he furrowed his brows, "He weakened me with the potion and marked me."

Dumbledore stood up and rushed to her and pulled down her sleeve. "Severus!", his voice terrified her. He had never looked so furious.

"Yes, sir?"

"What do you see on her arm?"

Snape looked at her and her exposed arm, "The dark mark."

"Since when has it been there?"

"Two years."

Audrey sat up and shook her head, "No, he marked me with the curse and it broke my arm!"

Snape shook his head, "That was a lie, it was just made visible so he could always find you."

"Who could find me?", Audrey felt queasy again, fearing the answer.

"Lord Voldemort."