Rating: Mainly Violence, *mild* suggestive content....(nothing too icky ~_^)

Summary: When a new student transfers to sixth year at Hogwarts, Snape falls in love, and Filch discovers some things about Arika, and finds he may have feelings for her as well....

Note: Bear with me people, this was part of a challenge!!! Don't flame, constructive criticism is appreciated!

**********

CHAPTER 1: FROM HIDING

The folded letter in the envelope came like a blessing. Not to so much as her anyway. A pair of dark green eyes looked over the text for what seemed like the one hundredth time, as if not yet sure she ought to confirm what was written there as true. But she had known that when the opportunity came....

No matter where you go.....

...and the window opened....

....I will find you Arika! No matter where you go...

....she had to be prepared to leap right through it, into whatever awaited her on the outside. It was no longer safe where she was. Then again, she was not safe, wherever she went. But at least this way, she had a little more time. Time to decide. Live. Die.

.....wherever you hide, I will always be there, and no one will stop me!

Arika shook her head, dismissing the dark voice from the equally dark portion of her mind. He had never actually said those things, but she imagined him saying them nonetheless. It kept her moving. Brushing her slightly curled, black bangs from her eyes, she found herself reading it once more.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Dear Ms. Arika LaCroix,

After expanded research of your family LaCroix background, and your present grades during attendance of 'Raveneye Academy' we are pleased to offer you a chance to be added among Hogwarts proud numbers. Please send us an owl when you come to your decision!

Yours Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

An opportunity. A window....

Arika sighed, folding the letter up neatly. The Headmaster had left her detailed information on how to arrive at the school. Platform nine and three quarters.... Arika shook her head, the term still a little silly to her. Her eyes darted to the page once more.

Please inform your parents....

She tore her eyes away from the sheet, and crumpled it in her palm. No luck there... Turning to the fireplace that heated her normally cold body, she threw the letter into it. Can't inform someone who's dead....She thought bitterly. Memories rushed into her head, and sent her leaning against the wall beside the dank fireplace. Her hand rested on the cold wall, nails digging deeply into the already peeling wallpaper. This wasn't home, of course. Home was gone. Blown to bits, along with any last remnants of her life. Not physically blown to bits of course, not at all. But a sneaky way, one no one had seen or heard. Dragged out in the middle of the night. While she had watched, defenseless from her hiding place in the attic. Dragged out under the cover of darkness. "You-Know-Who has the advantage...twisted son of a bitch..." She whimpered, her hand pressing against her eyes. She couldn't block it out. Her mother and father, her little sister. Everyone. Right down to the family cat.

So she had no other choice, but to run. Arika knew that if Voldermort found out she was still alive....that his idiot henchmen hadn't finished off the entire LaCroix family..... She shuddered. Luckily, everyone knew that the LaCroix's had always been a bit...eccentric, and had kept to themselves a lot. She wasn't that popular with too many people....and it would be a while before news of her family's death became public. They had been stolen away, and dumped into the river behind the house. And she, the witness from the Attic window. Witness to her father's death, ripped open while the rest watched. Of her mother's violation by the Death Eaters, and then..... She squeezed her eyes tighter, and let out a pitiful moan. God....her sister, her sweet little sister.....

Arika....when can I come to school with you? I wanna be a great witch, and cast lots of spells....

A strangled cry escaped her lips, and her hand went to her mouth, while tears flowed down her face. "Bloody bastard...." She moaned, collapsing onto the dirty floor. "Die...die, die, die...and burn in hell...." She chanted, letting out an involuntary giggle. Arika took a deep breath, the madness subsiding before it went too far. "Hogwarts...." She muttered, and shrugged to no one in particular. "Yeah....yeah, why not...".

**********

As she boarded the once-invisible train, thoughts flooded Arica's brain. Mostly thoughts about what sort of lies she would fabricate in order to get herself out of 'tricky' situations. Tricky meaning any conversation she was forced into dealing with her family. She only had a little time left for school. Then she would graduate, change her name, and get a job. Who knows, maybe she would even settle for living amongst the Muggles. The thought made her laugh aloud, and a few other people by the same train looked at her oddly, then turned their heads just as quickly. Everyone was in a rush, since the train would be leaving in a matter of moments. Quickly, Arika had her suitcase packed onto the train, and took her knapsack, loaded with enough money to get her though school, and some extra emergency provisions.

Once she had settled herself onto the train, she relaxed slightly in her small compartment. Suddenly, the door opened, and she tensed, a habit of hers when she was caught of guard. She let out a deep breath, and relaxed once more. It was only some other students. They all looked to be as old as her, and took no notice as they quickly shoved whatever posessions they had into corners of the compartment. Suddenly, one of them, a young, handsome boy with short dark hair and piercing green eyes, looked at her. He smiled at her, and Arika caught sight of an odd scar on his forehead, just above the rims of his glasses. It was shaped like a bolt of lightning. Could it be? She smiled back shyly, as he sat down next to her.

"Hi! I'm Harry Potter!" He extended his hand, and she shook it gingerly. "I've heard all about you! I'm Arika LaCroix!" She responded with a false smile. Harry kept his smile plastered, catching no sign of distaste from her. The other two quickly came over to her. "LaCroix? I've heard of you, your family possessed one of the main magicks!" Hermione, a girl with curled auburn hair stated, shaking Arika's hand with a smile. A boy with red hair shook her hand as well, and shyly introduced himself as Ron.

"So, what year are you going into?" Hermione asked, sitting down on the other side of Arika, who appeared mildly uncomfortable between Harry and Hermione. "Uh...sixth..." She trailed off, rubbing her forehead lightly. "You all right?" Harry asked, touching her shoulder lightly. She faked another smile, and nodded. "Just a headache....I get them a lot nowadays!"

The ride to Hogwarts was nothing short of excruciating. Between the ten dozen questions her three new friends poured at her, and her headaches...and memories. She was ready to kill someone by the time they got there, but managed to cool her anger as they got off the train, and headed up towards the school.

When Arika first caught sight of it, she could not deny it's mysticism. It was a castle, and Raveneye could not dare to compare to it. They stopped at the gates, lugging their suitcases and belongings with them. A large, bearded man stepped up from behind the gate, and opened it for them. "'Ello then...new years? A'right, come on, the rest of ya follow Proffessor McGonagall!" He stated, gesturing to a woman standing beside him. Upon first sight, Arika determined she didn't like the Proffessor very much. She was a gaunt, tall woman, with her hair pulled tightly black like the pictures you saw of old school marms in the 1800's. She watched them all like a hawk, and led them inside.

Once inside, Arika took her attention off the woman, and up towards the ceiling as they entered the main hall. It was beautiful, shining with the illusion of countless stars in the sky. Harry smiled, looking up as well. "It had the same effect on me first year....and every year after!" He spoke.

Slowly, the students were rounded up, and brought before a rather large hat. It reminded Arica of a witche's hat, with a slightly large brim. "This is the Sorting Hat!" McGonagall exclaimed, and proceeded to explain how it sorted each student into a different house group by their abilities and personalities. So, after listening to it sing a rather off-key ego song, Arika stepped up to it, and put it on hesitantly. "No need to be afraid!" A voice suddenly whispered in her ear, and she realized it was the hat. A thought struck her, and she quickly blocked out the memory of her family's murder to the hat, who scanned her mind, determining her position. After a moment, "SLYTHERIN", the voice boomed through the room, and Arica caught Harry's gaze, who looked a bit disappointed. A large cheer came up from one corner of the room, and Arica assumed it was the Slytherin group. A man in his late thirties stood with them, and clapped lightly as she took the hat off, and walked to them. He had raven-coloured hair, which hung around his shoulders and looked like it hadn't been washed since forever. His eyes were dark, and made her slightly uneasy. "I'm Proffessor Snape, from Slytherin house!" He stated coldly, narrowing his eyes at her. There was something she didn't like about him, Arica decided, as she walked to the back of the Slytherin group, and came to stand beside a handsome blonde boy.

"I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy!" The boy introduced himself, flashing her a perfect smile. She smiled, pasting on the fakest smile to could manage, and followed the Slytherin group to their common room after everyone was organized.

**********

"So....what school did you transfer here from?" Draco asked, sitting down beside her by the fire. Arica gritted her teeth, secretly wishing he would just go away. "Raveneye Academy!" She muttered, watching the flames. There was an odd comfort there, besides the heat. She shook her head lightly. At that moment, Proffessor Snape arrived into the room, his gaze immediately shifting to Arica, who sat on the floor uncomfortably. "It's time to get you all to sleep, it's late!" He stated, finally looking away from her. Arica shivered slightly, though not really sure as to why. She certainly wasn't afraid of any ego-ridden Proffessor....not after what she had seen.

As they headed off to bed, Snape stopped her, blocking the way. "Proffessor?" She asked innocently, her blood boiling. "I understand you come from the LaCroix family....good family, if not a bit eccentric...." He trailed off, shaking his head. Arica had to agree with him there. "I remember going to school here with your father! He is a powerful and intelligent man......I hope you will not be a disappointment to him!" He stated coldly, a light sneer on his lips. Arica narrowed her eyes, her fists clenched. "No....no sir....I assure you....I won't be!" She managed to say through her teeth, then gave him her best false smile she could manage. He returned the smile with a cold one of his own, momentarily just looking down at her. Arica shifted uncomfortably, as he finally got out of her way. "Go sleep then!" She stated, his deep voice hollow. Arica didn't get it a second thought, and hurried past him.

**********

Arica stared into the fire, as if enchanted by it. There was a comforting feeling there, besides the obvious heat it emanated. "So...where did you transfer from?" Draco asked, sitting next to her. Arica did little to show her annoyance, but gave him a fake smile. "Raveneye Academy!" She replied, her voice hollow and monotonous. She didn't want to speak to anyone. Not now. She sighed in boredom, and tucked her knees closer to her. At that moment, Snape came into the room, and announced it was time to get to sleep. As they headed off to their separate dormitories, he blocked her way. "Professor?" She looked at him innocently, trying to hide her ever-growing irritation. "So you are a LaCroix...." He smiled a cold smile, matching her false one. Arica gritted her teeth, hating the Potions Professor more by the moment. "I knew your father....we attended Hogwarts together, he's a very intelligent and powerful wizard...I do hope you live up to his expectations!" He spoke, looking down at her. There was no doubt that he was mocking her, and Arica's blood began to boil. "Don't worry.....I'll do better then his expectations!" She spoke as normally as one could speak through gritted teeth.

Snape watched her silently for a moment, almost admiring her self-control. Then he slowly moved out of the way, and let her pass silently. Her blood was beyond boiling point when she lay down on her bed, separated from the other students. Physically and mentally, she wanted to be cut off from as many people as possible. The less people that were aware of her presence, the better. She lay her head down on the pillow, and was soon fast asleep.

**********

Arica sat right up on the bed, shaking violently. Sweat coated her arms slightly, making her shine oddly. Tears covered her catlike face. She grabbed at the pillow behind her, and buried her sobs and moans into it, stifling the pain. Burying it. After minutes of that, her shaking subsided slowly, and she simply sat there. Arica was exhausted, but terrified of going back to sleep. Nightmares. She could never get a good nights sleep since that horrible night. It was always replay itself in her mind as she slept, as it reminding her, telling her she would never be safe.

After another moment, she placed the pillow back, and lay onto her bed again. Closing her eyes, she opened them again. Terrified of what she may see in the darkness. She tossed and turned relentlessly. A silence filled the room, the other students were sleeping peacefully. Arica envied that peace. Finally, she sat up once more, and swung her bare feet onto the cold floor. She stood slowly, her white nightgown almost reaching the floor. She quickly adjusted the straps uncomfortably, wishing she could have taken a different one with her. However, going back home to get a different nightgown was strictly out of the question, especially in her current circumstances. She left the dormitory as cautiously as possible, not wanting to awaken anyone. Whenever she had the nightmares-which was always-taking a short walk had helped. Anywhere really, as long as she could clear her mind.

She walked down a long hall, and whispered the secret password for Slytherin's. The trapdoor opened, and she walked out into a different hallway. It was much darker then she had expected, as she made her way down it silently. Finally, she spotted some light, and came to a large, beautiful carpeted room. The walls were lined with large, heavy-looking suits of armor. She stood, admiring it silently. Suddenly, a voice from above her startled her, and she looked up. Much to her dismay, there floated Peeves, the resident ass hole poltergeist.

"Hee Hee....Sneaking out late at night....I might just have to go tell Filch!" He giggled. Arica rolled her eyes, not in a particular mood for the teetering idiot. Harry had told her all about him on the train to Hogwarts, but she couldn't recall hearing anything about a Filch. "Who's Filch?" She asked. The ghost looked down at her with an odd expression, then his face stretched to a smile Arica didn't like at all. Pervert.... was the first thought that found its way into her head, as the spirit flew over to a rather large suit of armor. He began to push on it eagerly. "Hee....maybe I'll introduce you two then!" He giggled madly, pushing harder.

It was then that Arica noticed the car round the other corner in front of her. It was rather mangy looking, and froze when it saw her. It had a sneaky look on its face, and as it watched her, it meowed at the top of its lungs. Unfortunately, it didn't notice Peeves shove the helmet off the armor, as it fell, heading straight for the cat's brain. "PEEVES, STOP!" Arica cried out, heading for the cat. She fell to the ground, scooping the cat up in her arms, then turned over on her side. Unfortunately, the helmet connected with the side of her head. A deathly silence filled the hallway. Peeves peeked out from the armor, his eyes wide with fright. A small pool of blood began to form on the floor at Arica's head. She wasn't moving. "Oh...no....F...FILCH...FIIIIIILCH!" The spirit flew off, screaming his head off.

Moments later, Filch ran into the hall. "What's all the noise...." He trailed off, as he spotted Arica lying on the floor. He neared her slowly, and touched her arm. She didn't move. "Stupid girl...." He muttered, shaking his head. Suddenly, he heard a faint 'meow' from where the girl lay, and watched as Mrs. Norris jumped into his arms happily. He was silent as he looked at the cat, then at the girl, unconscious on the floor. He was suddenly regretting having called her stupid.

Peeves flew over to him from one of the other corridors, panic-stricken. "It was just a joke, I didn't know the cat was there....she was way at the other end, and she grabbed her, and, it...." He was silenced by a venomous look from Filch, who directed his wild eyes once more at the girl. With an agitated sigh, he bent down and picked her up in his arms. She was much lighter then he had expected. "Office isn't to far from here...." He muttered, and headed to his office. Perhaps office made it sound too elegant. It looked more like the extension of the dungeon where Snape taught Potions. A small bed lay off in one corner, and that was where Filch nothing short of dropped her.

He backed away slowly, and wondered if it was possible she was dead. She hadn't moved since he had picked her up. "Should get Dumbledore..." He muttered, glancing at the door. Mrs. Norris patted over to the still girl, and much to Filch's astonishment, the mangy cat cuddled her face, purring softly. "Saved you...did she my sweet..." He took a deep breath, and walked over to the bed, intending to remove Mrs. Norris and get Dumbledore or Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing. The dust-like cat jumped off the bed quickly, and sat on the floor, watching Arica intensely. Filch glanced at Mrs. Norris, who kept her eyes on the unconscious girl on the bed, then he looked back at her. Undoubtedly, she was beautiful. Arica's dark, curled locks framed her face, and fell around her shoulders. He could now see the uneven breaths she was taking, reassuring him that she was indeed, still alive. Her slim body lay straight on the bed, with one pale arm strewn over her belly, and the other at her side.

Filch's breathing gained an odd irregularity, of which he chose not to gain notice. Slowly, he approached the bed, and tentatively reached out a pale hand, stroking her face gently. He pulled back quickly as he saw her stir, her voice coming out slightly dull.

"Mom....."

The tone was choked, as if she were going to start crying. Filch's eyes widened when he saw the warm tears coming sliding down her cheeks slowly. He wondered if her head was aching that much, and turned towards the door, fully intending to get help.

"NO.....Leave them alone! Mom....MOMMY...." Arica began to scream, the tears unstoppable, and Filch ran over to the bed slowly, grasping the sheets and pulling them over her. This was no show of physical pain, that much he realized. Something had happened to her. Something....

"Voldermort.....Dad...Mom...NOOOOOOOO!" She sat straight up, squeezing herself into a tight ball. Shaking violently, Arica's cries heaved sorrowfully. Filch grasped her by the shoulders tightly, trying to calm her down. She buried her head against him, soaking his shirt with her tears. She wasn't even aware anyone was holding her. Images kept replaying themselves in her mind. As if someone had taken the liberty of recording the entire grisly scenario, then pressing the rewind button over and over again. Filch could do nothing but hold her tightly, and keep the girl from hurting herself. In her delusional state, it would be unwise to do otherwise.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the sobs subsided, and stopped entirely. Her breathing was ragged, and a constant shiver occupied her body. Filch let her lie back onto the bed slowly, then threw the blanket over her. "Watch her sweet!" He told Mrs. Norris, who jumped up on the bed with a noisy 'meow'. Filch left the room in a hurry, heading for the Hospital Wing.

**********

As he walked, Filch contemplated what he would say. Should he tell Dumbledore what the girl had been talking about in her delusions? She had mentioned Voldermort....

Filch shook his head. "Just delusions...dreams!" He decided, pending them as non-important. After all, if there really was anything wrong with the LaCroix family, would the public of witches and wizards not know of it? He shrugged, deciding not to mention it.

**********

An hour later, Arica had woken up in the Hospital Wing, her gash slightly healed up. All that remained was a painfully obvious scar. It had been healed quickly thanks to the magic in Hogwarts. Arica sat up slowly, propping her back up against the pillow. Madame Pomfrey came in moments later, with Filch trailing behind her silently. "How are you feeling dear?" The woman asked her kindly, as Arica rubbed her sore head. "F...fine thank you...what happened?" She asked, not being able to remember much. Madame Pomfrey's face twisted in a slight look of distaste. "Well...Peeves apparently tried to play a joke that went horribly wrong....he could have killed you!" The old woman examined the scar, seeming satisfied with the way the gash had healed.

"How...how did I get here?" She groaned, feeling a little lightheaded. Madame Pomfrey turned to Filch, who stood leaning against the door frame awkwardly. His already sallow, pale face pales even more, and he coughed nervously. "Mr. Filch found you in the hallway, and was kind enough to carry you here after he informed me of your condition!" Madame Pomfrey stated with a smile of admiration at the silent custodian. Arica watched him silently, while Madame Pomfrey went into another room to write out a medical excuse slip for her. "Thank you....for helping me!" Arica said shyly, looking down at her hands. "You saved Mrs. Norris!" He stated in an odd tone, as if the action was very unknown to him. "How do you know that?" Arica asked, realizing he meant the mangy cat she had seen. "She told me!" He replied.

Arica smiled shyly, while Filch simply stood there, not really knowing what else to say. The awkward moment was interrupted as Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco rushed into the room. It was safe to say that they were all surprised to see Filch standing there. Still, they ignored him, and crowded around Arica's bed. "Hey!" Draco spoke gently, flashing Harry a leer. Harry ignored him, and smiled at Arica gently. "What happened Arica? Are you all right?" Hermione asked, concern present on her face. Arica smiled reassuringly, and nodded. Her hair fell a little out of the way, and the scar on the left side of her forehead showed. "Oh...." Hermione uttered, seeing it first. "Arica....what happened to you?" Draco asked, taking her hand. She blushed fiercely at this, and averted his gaze, choosing instead to look towards the doorway. Incidentally, her eyes came to rest on Filch. She wasn't sure, but she could almost see what looked like a small sneer on his face.

"I....Peeves played a small joke and...." She trailed off, as Draco sneered. "That idiot! He could have killed you!" The cute blonde growled, and Arica blushed even more. He's really cute..... She thought to herself, then looked over at Harry. "Actually, I wasn't really anywhere near the armor when it fell.....but I saw this cat standing under it and...." She didn't get to finish as everyone in the room yelled out, "MRS. NORRIS?" A silence filled the room, as she looked at them all in turn. "Yes....." She trailed off, slightly confused. "You saved Filch's cat?" Ron looked like he might faint, and the rest of them were staring at her with their mouths open. Arica looked at them, a bit confused. "Yes...why, what's wrong with Mrs. Norris?" She asked. More looks passed around the room. Hermione was dumbfounded as she spoke. "She and Filch are a pain, they get everyone in trouble!" She spoke. Arica raised her eyebrows, then shrugged. "Well....he's the one that carried me here!" She stated. The room filled with a deathly silence as everyone turned to the door. Filch had vanished.

**********

Arica sat eating her breakfast silently. Beside her sat Draco Malfoy, who glanced at her now and again, smiling. Arica averted his gaze, especially when she felt a warm tinge on her cheeks. It was better for her not to get involved with anyone. At least not while she was in hiding. "Uh...listen Arica, would you like to maybe...do something sometime?" Draco asked, trying to sound casual. Arica looked at him with her emerald eyes, feeling herself grow even warmer. "Uh...s...sure Draco!" She stuttered, feeling like an idiot. "I have to go now!" She quickly added, and rose from the table before Draco could say anything. As she walked across the hall, she could see the Gryffindor table, where Hermione waved at her. Arica waved back, somewhat dimly, and continued walking, her eyes to the floor. She didn't want to talk to anyone, or see anyone. Not now.

It was because of her antisocial mood that she happened to collide with the one person she wanted to see least of all. "Oh...Excuse me..." She stuttered, looking up to see who she had bumped into. "Wonderful attention span you have Ms. LaCroix....perhaps it will not be as faltering during class!" The deep voice of Severus Snape snapped. Arica held her breath, counting to three in her mind. "I'm sorry Professor...." She muttered. After she passed him silently, she couldn't resist muttering. "....but your such an easy target!" No sooner had the words escaped her lips did she regret them. Snape froze, and turned slowly. "What....was that?" He growled, nearing her slowly. "Uh....uh...." She began to hyperventilate, looking up at him. He was scowling down at her coldly, his dark, deeply-set eyes narrowed. Arica found herself looking into those eyes, and wondering if the darkness had an end.

Snape narrowed his eyes even more as he met hers. Emerald green. He took a slow, steady breath, then managed to regain himself. "You will attend a detention Ms. LaCroix...tonight, after dinner! I will decide what your punishment shall be!" Then, without another word, he turned and headed to the teacher's table, not looking back. Arica stood still momentarily, and found herself unable to breathe. She wasn't sure what had just happened to her, but she was sure of one thing. She *hated* Severus Snape.

**********

Argus Filch sighed in frustration, as he sat alone in his office. The dungeon, which he had started to admit to himself as being such, was oddly dreary. A stretched 'meow' rose from behind him, as Mrs. Norris walked into the room. The cat slumped against the wall, tired and dirty. Filch went over to a corner, and poured her small bowl of milk, which she drank hungrily. He snorted at the cat, who eyes him from her meal. "What?" He demanded, expecting answer. No answer came. At least, none that could be heard.

He growled under his breath, and turned away from the staring feline. Without another word, he walked out of the room, and headed down the hallway. His feet made little sound on the cobble floor, as he was accustomed to walking in silence. His particular field of work demanded that he keep himself to the shadows, and that was the way he preferred it. No one bothered him, at least no one that didn't want to get in trouble.

As he rounded another hallway, he thought he heard a sound. It was a sound he was all too familiar with. The sound of someone running in a fast pace. Of course, this time it was different, since the sound was coming in *his* direction. It was usually he and Mrs. Norris who did the chasing. He stood still, waiting for whoever was running through the dark to come to him.

**********

Arica ran, the wind that found itself into the cold hallways of Hogwarts slapping at her face gently. It kept the pain from taking over, and the tears from coming. After the odd confrontation with Snape, things had begun to boil up inside her. The grief from witnessing the perversions done against her family by Voldermort and his Death Eaters, then hiding out all by herself, then the pressure of Hogwarts *not-so supportive* singular staff member. She felt a sneer cover her lips, and she ran faster, as if to run away from the demons inside her.

She rounded a corner, trying to remember if she were going the right way. She couldn't think very clearly, and wasn't sure if the Slytherin house was in that particular direction. As she rounded another corner, she almost collided with someone who had been standing there. Arica managed to stop before the collision, and backed up a couple of paces. "Mr. Filch?" She gasped, surprised to find him standing in the darkness. His permanently bitter gaze faltered, as he recognized her steadily. "I remember you....the girl from last night!" He spoke, eyeing the scar just above her left eye. Arica nodded, feeling slightly akward. "How....how's Mrs. Norris?" Arica asked, attempting to bring up some form of conversation. Filch shrugged, looking behind himself to where he had just come from. "She's alive....I never did...." He paused, as if it were hard for him just to speak. Arica leaned a bit closer, curious to what he had to say. "Never did what?" She asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "Never did....thank you, for what you did!" He stuttered, looking at the floor uncomfortably. "Oh....you're welcome!" Arica spoke softly.

"No one...no one ever did anything like that!" Filch spoke, walking down the hallway slowly. Keeping a peaceful pace with him, Arica smiled lightly. "Why?" She asked, a naive sparkle in her eyes. She didn't know why, but she felt oddly comforted by Filch's almost-silent presence. It wasn't like it was with Draco. Draco made her blush, and made her uncomfortable and lightheaded. Filch was just...there.

Filch paused momentarily, looking at her while he spoke. "I'm not exactly everyone's favorite person here.....I hate them all" He muttered, his eyes narrowing in loathing. Arica looked at him in pity. His pain was so popular with her, it was almost a form of revelation to find someone as emotionally dejected as she. His gaze hardened when he saw her look at him with pity. He snorted, and turned, fully intending to head back to Mrs. Norris and peine over not being able to use *his* version of detention.

He froze as he felt her hand on his arm, holding him steady. He turned, giving her a cold gaze. "Thank you for helping me Mr. Filch.....you deserve a lot of respect!" She said gently, then quickly turned and ran down the hallway without another word. Filch stood alone, looking in the direction she had ran off. For a moment, he had an urge to run after her, to stop her, but quickly shook the feeling off. Idiot.... he scolded himself, then walked away.

***********

Arica reached under her bed, and pulled out a large trunk. Glancing around, she opened it to examine its contents. Inside lay the last import visage of her old life. A staff lay in dark red velvet folds. She drew it out, holding it by its oak handle. A large crystal was attached to the top, with a red ruby in the center. "Mom..." Arica whispered, touching the staff. For a moment, the crystal shimmered, casting an eerie glow onto the wall in front of her. Quickly, she replaced the staff back into the trunk, and shoved it under her bed.

"Mom....."

"Now Arica....this is a very special staff!"

"What does it do mommy?"

"It's one of the four magickal summoners, used to unleash a power so strong that nobody will be able to repel it....not even Voldermort!"

"Oh Mom....don't say his name!"

"Hush....don't you ever do that Arica....don't ever turn from things that scare you, because it is when your back is turned that they will be able to strike!"

Arica shook her head, dismissing it from her memory. But a curious question bit at her. If she had one of the four magick summoners.....who had the other three?

**********

TO BE CONTINUED......

Next, Snape begins to see through Arica, Filch is falling in love with her, and Draco and Arica have their first 'date'.