||Rain's Storm||The Chamber of Secrets||Year 2||

Chapter Fifteen: Parting

'The forest was dark, with not even a moon or stars to offer light. It was also quiet. There was no sound to be heard. Not even the breeze ruffled the leaves above. Glancing around, Rain stood up slowly. She knew she was in the Forbidden Forest, but she did not know where. She also did not know how to get back to Hogwarts.

"Hello?" she called softly. There was no answer to her call. Even the wind still refused to stir. Dazed and confused, Rain turned slowly in a circle. There was nothing to spot but more trees and underbrush. "Is there anyone here? Anything?"

Silence greeted her words. Alone and not knowing what to do, Rain sat down. She hugged her legs to her chest, resting her head on her knees. She closed her eyes, willing her pounding heart to calm down.

She sensed her before she ever saw or heard her. Raising her head, Rain was greeted by the white wolf. Frowning, she carefully stood to her feet. "What are you doing here?" she asked softly. The wolf titled her head, something like amusement on its face. The wolf suddenly padded up to her, and she nosed the girl's knee. Rain's frown deepened as the wolf turned away from her and began to walk. She followed.

"Where are you taking me?" Rain muttered as the wolf lead her deeper into the forest. The white head looked back at her, but it was only briefly. The girl struggled to follow the beast as the underbrush became thicker. Suddenly, the forest became cold. Rain froze, sensing something.... Someone was coming....The wolf began to snarl...'

Rain bolted upright, panting and sweating. She glanced around in alarm, not sure where she was. It took her several long minutes to realize she was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. Strange, the last thing she could recall was being in the Chamber of Secrets....where was Harry? Ron? and Ginny?

"You're awake," a cold voice remarked. Rain's head jerked in its direction, and she smiled despite herself. Snape was sitting in a chair at the end of the bed she was in. He looked exhausted, more so than usual, but his being there assured her everything was alright.

"Professor Snape. What happened?" Rain asked, sitting up straighter. Snape looked slightly amused, but also annoyed.

"Potter returned from the Chamber with Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, and Professor Lockhart. He explained to us how you four foolishly entered the Chamber after Ginny and you encountered a memory of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named along with Potter. You are lucky to be alive," Snape explained, sounding angered. But then again, when was he not angry?

"Are the others alright?" Rain asked, still concerned.

"Yes. They are enjoying a feast in celebration of the basilisk being slain." Rain closed her eyes briefly in relief. Everyone was safe. Everything was alright now.

"Is everyone else at the feast?" Snape nodded. Rain bit her lip, not sure about asking. Figuring it could not hurt, she decided to dare to. "May I go?"

Snape studied the girl for several seconds. She seemed fine now. However, he could not ignore she had faced the Dark Lord, at least a powerful memory of him, and she had passed out in the process. But she seemed fine after the ordeal. Making up his mind, he nodded. Rain grinned, paining his heart.

"Come. I am heading there myself," Snape muttered. He stood, and allowed time for Rain to as well, before leading the way out of the hospital wing. Neither of them looked back.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

The feast was amazing, but the rest of the final term was the best. The exams had been cancelled due to the events which had taken place. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled. Everyone, even Draco, seemed to get along. Best of all, it was sunshine everyday. Too soon for Rain, the end of term closed in upon them. It was time for everyone else to leave.

"You're not coming with us?" Hermione asked as everyone trailed down to the train station.

Rain shook her head. She sighed and glanced around before beckoning them to follow her. She lead Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Sabrina away from the other students. She took a deep breath. "I'm not going because I am to remain with Snape. Over the summer, Mama Poppy, the caretaker of Dark Woods Orphanage where I lived, was murdered. The rest of the kids were placed in the care of the Headmaster of Dark Woods School. Since I attended Hogwarts, the Ministry placed my care in Dumbledore's hands. He placed with Snape," she explained in one breath. Rain furiously wiped away her tears streaming down her face.

"Oh Rain. I'm so sorry!" Sabrina cried. She embraced her in a tight hug. The others circled them, holding Rain between them. Rain closed her eyes, thankful for their support. The train whistle blew.

"Go before you get left," Rain muttered, gently pushing them away. They all waved goodbye as they boarded the train one by one. Rain waved sadly back.

"I understand Sabrina, but not the others," Draco muttered as he walked over to her. Rain crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.

"We've talked about this," she warned him. Draco raised his hands in defeat. 

"Fine fine. I won't make fun of them in your presence. Can I at least say goodbye?" he teased, smirking. Rain smiled and uncrossed her arms.

"You may," she teased him back. Then she grew somber. "I am going to miss you too. Summer is rather boring for me."

Draco chuckled. "I hardly see how any part of your life is boring." The two grew silent for a minute. Draco awkwardly scratched the back of his head, not sure what to do next. But Rain did. She threw her arms around his neck and held him close. Startled, it took Draco a moment to wrap his arms around her back. They hugged briefly before yanking apart. Draco hurriedly boarded the train as the final whistle blew. 

Rain remained standing on the platform, waving as the train began to speed off. Her friends and others waved back, all of them laughing with glee. Once the last train car went by, she lowered her hand. But Rain remained standing there for a long time, staring off into the distance. Her life was changing. Something was coming.