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

After

Rain sat with her head leaned back, eyes closed. She had been summoned to Dumbledore's office, but he was not in there. Regardless, she had entered and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. She was so tired....Her nightmares were so bad now....

"Ah, Ms. Rain. My apologizes for being late," Dumbledore greeted her as he walked in. Rain heard two sets of footsteps, but she did not open her eyes.

"It's fine Professor. I was just relaxing anyhow. The castle is so much quieter without all of the students here. It's almost peaceful," Rain mused.

"I agree," Snape's voice said. Rain lifted her head in surprise, and she spotted the dark man standing beside Dumledore. The girl narrowed her eyes; they were up to something.

"Professor Snape and I have been trying to find a way to help you with your nightmares since you told us earlier in the year. I believe we have discovered the best way how," Dumbledore explained, something close to a smirk upon his aged face.

"I'm listening," Rain offered, watching them closely. She wasn't sure if she could trust the path the conversation was taking.

"Have you heard of occlumency?" Snape asked her. He was watching her just as closely as she was them.

"Yes sir. I don't know the exact details, but I understand it deals with protecting one's own mind while also being able to enter another's," Rain admitted. Occlumency had been discussed several times at Dark Woods School, but she had left before it was taught. 

"Close enough," Snape grumbled.

"What we are offering is for Professor Snape to teach you occlumency. We believe, with practice in this branch of magic, you will be able to shut out your nightmares," Dumbledore explained. "Of course, it would be up to you to decide if you want to try this."

Rain looked past the professors to the window. Outside, the sun was shining brightly. She shivered; it was a dramatic contrast from the state of her dreams. What they were offering was a long shot; she knew she would have to control her emotions to be successful. On the other hand, living with her nightmares seemed worse. 

Rain looked back at the two men. They were both watching her, waiting for her answer. "Alright. I'm willing to try it." Dumbledore smirked; Snape nodded.

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

"Do you really believe she is the beast?" Snape demanded as he trailed after Dumbledore. The moon overhead was hidden behind the tree tops. They had entered the Forbidden Forest some time before, and they were still travelling deeper into its depths. 

"I have ever reason to believe she is. The wolf tried to protect Potter and Rain in their first year. That alone causes me to wonder. In addition, the wolf has been spotted since Voldermort's demise. It is the same time she disappeared," Dumbledore answered vaguely. He knew Snape would not believe because he did not want to.

"Even so, this is a wolf we are speaking of. A wild animal," Snape argued. Dumbledore did not answer, but he stopped walking. He pointed with one finger; a white wolf stood before them. Its eyes were bright green, just like hers had been.

"You know we are speaking of you, don't you?" Dumbledore questioned the beast. It flicked one ear, but its gaze remained locked on the man beside him. Snape stared back at it.

"Why do you remain hidden my dear? There's nothing to hide," Dumbledore tried again. This time, she did look at him. Something like amusement sparked in its eyes.

"Come Dumbledore. This is a waste of time, "Snape sneered. The wolf turned back to him, growling softly.

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "I believe you are wrong Severus," he mused. He took a step forward, and to everyone's surprise, the wolf took a step back. It shook its head.

"What's wrong my dear?" Dumbledore asked again. The wolf continued to back away. Before either of them could respond, the wolf bolted. She vanished like a spirit into the darkness.

"I told you this was a waste," Snape growled.

"I must disagree. If anything, this confirms my suspensions. I do believe the wolf is the woman we seek."

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

It was only a week into summer vacation, but Rain was already growing bored. Spinner's End no longer held any interesting places for her to explore(but she still enjoyed going to the river). She had read through most of Snape's books last summer, and he had forbade her from reading the rest, claiming them unfit for children(unlikely). He also had told her she could not start her occlumency lessons until the rest of her school work was done. She had completed nearly all of it, but she could only focus on it for so long in a day. She had worn the school out of her for the time being.

Rain sighed as she plopped back onto the bed. She had been in 'her room' in Snape's house all morning, working through several of the reports she had to write before school next year. She could faintly hear him somewhere else in the house, working on something. He had ignored her since breakfast, probably assuming she was working on her homework. He had been right, but she was growing bored fast. Worse, the rain outside meant she was not allowed to leave the house. She felt trapped.

Sitting back up, she finally got out of the bed. Glancing around, she spotted her coat still hanging over the back of the chair. She smiled sadly as she spotted the bulk in the pocket. Going over, she removed the diary from the coat pocket. She ran her thumb over the faded gold words, "To My Little Droplet of Rain." She sighed heavily.

She had been wondering who her parents were for the past two years. She sensed in her hand she held the answer. However, she did not know if she was ready. She did not know if she could stomach the truth. If her parents were Death Eaters, as she believed them to be, it meant she was the daughter of murderers. If they were the victims, it meant she was an orphan. Swallowing, LilyRain sat on the edge of the bed and began to read.