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"It's Christmas, stop worrying," said Deanna, chuckling as her father, Minerva, Pomona and Hagrid looked over her worriedly. "I'm fine. I really am." After that incident, Harry and the Weasleys stayed at 12 Grimmauld Place while Deanna and Hermione finished the rest of their classes until the break. None of them talked about the incident, and thankfully, they were both fine and not avoiding each other.

Over the break, Deanna visited 12 Grimmauld Place shortly with her father, reassuring them she was fine and asking how Mr. Weasley was. They couldn't stay long because Dumbledore had his duties, and he wasn't letting Deanna out of his sight for more than 5 minutes.

The Weasleys had all thanked Deanna for warning Dumbledore in time to save Arthur and even sent her a sweater and Shepherd's pie for Christmas. Deanna was just thankful that she was of help to her friends' children and grandchildren. She received gifts from some of the Hufflepuffs, who thanked her for giving them courage. Deanna waved it off, saying that they were the ones who found their courage. She just showed them which path to face.

She also received gifts from all her other friends, her uncle and her father, but the gift she loved the most though was from Hermione, another pair of socks, but this time they were yellow and printed with hotdogs. Aberforth had stopped by shortly a few hours ago, just to greet his niece a Merry Christmas. Deanna told him she would be coming to him later, and that cheered up the man a lot.

"All right then," said Dumbledore, smiling softly and holding his arm out. "You'll go see Aberforth now?"

"Oh, yes please, Pops," said Deanna cheerfully while taking his arm. She waved at the staff at the table. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Deanna!" They immediately chorused back as the Dumbledores left the Hall. When they turned the corner though, they met up with the ghosts who were beaming at them.

"Merry Christmas, Deanna, Headmaster!" All the ghosts said, grumbled, moaned and cackled.

"Merry Christmas!" said Dumbledore just as cheerful.

"Merry Christmas to you all," said Deanna, smiling back at them all.

"Are you going somewhere, Dee?" said Myrtle.

"Yeah, I'm going to meet with my uncle," said Deanna happily. "How about you all? How are you spending your Christmas?"

"I'm hosting a party later, dear Deanna," said Sir Nicholas. "You could stop by if you have time. You too, Headmaster."

"Oh, can I, Pops?" said Deanna, giving him the puppy eyes before he could even try to look away.

"Fine," muttered Dumbledore, not being able to resist those eyes, then he looked at the ghosts. "I won't be able to watch her, so you have to take care of her."

"We will, Professor," said the Fat Friar. "This badger won't get away from us."

"Thanks, Pops," said Deanna, hugging him quickly then turning to her ghost friends. "I'll see you all there." The ghosts beamed at her and wished her a Merry Christmas before they too flew away, chattering loudly. The two Dumbledores chuckled as they too went up to the Headmaster's office. When they got there, Dumbledore suddenly stopped and looked at Deanna.

"Deanna?" said Dumbledore. "There is something I want to ask."

"What is it, Pops?" said Deanna curiously, wondering why he was suddenly so serious.

"Is there something you aren't telling me?" said Dumbledore, staring into her eyes of the same color. "About your dreams?"

Deanna's eyes widened at that. How could he have known what she was dreaming about all this time? Then, she raised her eyebrow. "Will you explain then what happened to me?" The two of them stared each other down, light blue meeting light blue, neither of them were backing down. Both of them had questions that they desperately sought answers to, but the two of them were too stubborn to relent.

Finally, Dumbledore let out a sigh and nodded. "Fine, but you have to tell me first what you have been dreaming about."

Deanna smiled slightly and pointed to his other hand. "No fingers crossed?"

Dumbledore raised his other hand. "None at all." Deanna linked pinkies with him and raised her other hand. They had no excuses now. She started telling Dumbledore about how she had been dreaming of a windowless corridor and locked doors, and how she would sometimes wake up in pain. It was as if someone was casting the Cruciatus curse on her. Then, she told him too about how her head would suddenly ache along with her body whenever she would be having her detentions with Umbridge. Dumbledore stood up and started pacing the room as she finished.

"Could you explain what's happening, Pops?" said Deanna. "I don't know what's happening to me."

"It seems that you and Voldemort have a connection, Deanna," said Dumbledore softly. "What pain he inflicts onto his victims is inflicted onto you. That's why you feel pain so suddenly. You feel it when he uses the Cruciatus Curse or the Killing Curse. Just like how he used his snake to injure Arthur Weasley."

"And how about the Quill?"

"It had tampered with your blood. And it is an object of the Dark Arts. I am not quite sure why, but that is the reason I have for now..."

"Okay, but why do we have this connection?" said Deanna in confusion. "I mean, we did become lovers, but is that enough to have a connection like this?"

Dumbledore hesitated before shaking his head. "I'm afraid that is a question I cannot answer yet, Deanna."

"But-"

"The fact that you are seeing these dreams is the reason why I can't tell you," said Dumbledore firmly. "Let me teach you Occlumency first. And when you master it, I'll tell you then." Deanna looked like she wanted to protest before she finally sighed and nodded.

"All right, Pops," said Deanna before her face lit up again. "So, when will you be teaching me this Occlumency, whatever it is?"

"Occlumency is the act of guarding your mind against Legilimency," said Dumbledore, smiling at the excitement on her face. "You must clear your mind and empty yourself of emotions while doing so. I will be teaching you at the start of the year, love."

"Sounds great, Pops," said Deanna cheerfully. "Can't wait." Dumbledore shook his head in amusement, hoping his daughter would still be having this attitude when they would start their Occlumency lessons.

"I'll be going now, Pops," said Deanna. "Uncle Ab's expecting me."

"Let me bring you there, love," said Dumbledore and he held his hand out. Deanna took it and they Apparated out of Hogwarts and in front of Hog's Head.

Deanna gave him a tight hug. "Thank you, Pops. For everything. I love you."

"I love you too, my little phoenix," said Dumbledore softly, feeling so warm with his daughter's words. He gave her one last kiss on the head before he Disapparated away.

"Hello, dear," said Aberforth cheerfully as Deanna came through the door.

Deanna grinned and hugged him. "Uncle Ab. How've you been?"

"We just saw each other a few hours ago, and you're asking how I am," said Aberforth amusedly.

"Of course, Uncle," said Deanna. "A lot can happen in a matter of hours." She smiled widely as she looked around and the usually dirty-looking Hog's Head was looking festive and clean with all the decorations around them. "You've decorated, I see."

"You've always loved Christmas, Ari," said Aberforth, setting down a glass of chocolate milk in front of her and bringing a Butterbeer for himself. Deanna just smiled and started drinking her milk when she remembered.

"I almost forgot," said Deanna as she took something out from her coat. "This is for you, Uncle Ab." She handed him a package that she enlarged with a wave of her wand.

"You didn't have to get me anything, Ari," said Aberforth, smiling softly as he opened the present. His eyes filled with tears when he saw what it was. A portrait of Ariana Dumbledore, smiling up at him.

"Brother," said Ariana cheerfully. She looked at Deanna. "And you must be my niece."

"It's nice to meet you, Aunt Ariana," said Deanna then she looked at Aberforth who was crying now. She reached over and wiped away his tears. Aberforth took his niece into a tight hug and sobbed. He now had the two most important people in his life back. Deanna and Arianna. They were the only ones who had made his life worth living, and now, he had them back.

"Thank you, Deanna, thank you," he said repeatedly. No words could express the gratitude he had to Deanna for bringing back Arianna.

"I know you missed her too, Uncle," said Deanna gently. "Now it's time to forgive yourself too." Aberforth pulled away and nodded, wiping away his tears as he smiled at Ariana, who was watching them with a soft look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Ariana, I-I shouldn't have dueled with them. It's my fault-"

"It was never your fault, Ab," said Ariana. "I'm all right now, you have me and I'll be here for you forever." Aberforth smiled tearily as he held the portrait close to him and Deanna in his other arm. Deanna hugged him back just as tight, smiling as she knew she brought a little light to her uncle's life.

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"Deanna," said someone behind her. Deanna turned around to see that it was Jemina Nightingale, Eleanor Edmonton and another Hufflepuff named Noah Knight.

"Hello there," said Deanna. "How were your breaks?" They started walking along the corridors, exchanging stories about how their breaks went. These three Hufflepuffs were a year younger than Deanna. Eleanor Edmonton was the Weasleys' childhood friend and she and Ron were always fighting. Ginny told her Eleanor always liked Ron, but Ron was just too oblivious to see it.

Noah Knight was the shy boy of the group. He was quiet and usually kept to himself, but after Deanna's encouragement, he started talking to some other Hufflepuffs more. Actually, Deanna had first known him when she caught Harry staring at him. She then found out the Boy Who Lived had a crush on the Shy Knight.

Jemina Nightingale was a shy one too, and the one who was usually targeted by the Slytherins because of how she was the one who was usually alone. After Deanna caught them though, they hadn't attacked her since, probably thinking she would tell the Headmaster about them. These three Hufflepuffs had formed a close friendship with Deanna and they usually turned to her whenever they needed advice for something.

"Won't we be meeting today, Deanna?" said Noah excitedly. "I do want to learn the Patronus Charm."

"I'm afraid not yet, Noah," said Deanna. "Harry has Remedial Potions." And she smiled in amusement when the boy blushed slightly.

When she found out that Harry was having his Occlumency lessons with Snape, she had asked her father why they wouldn't be doing it together, but her father said he would tell her in time. Though Deanna didn't know when that was, she just accepted it, knowing that he would tell her someday.

Deanna then bid goodbye to them as she realized what time it was. She was going to have her lessons with her father soon. She ran to the Headmaster's Office and uttered the password to the gargoyle and went up to her father, panting. "I'm here, Pops."

"Why were you running, love?" said Dumbledore, chuckling. "You've still got 5 minutes before we start." Deanna then checked the clock on the wall and cursed under her breath when she saw that it was just 5:55. She sank onto the sofa, trying to calm her breathing. Dumbledore smiled and sat down beside her. He used his sleeve to wipe the sweat beads on his daughter's forehead.

Deanna smiled gratefully and sat up straight. "So, what will we be doing with this Occlumency, Pops?"

"This will help seal your mind against magical intrusion and influence, love," said Dumbledore, now pacing the room. "Voldemort is highly skilled at Legilimency, and Occlumency will enable you to rid your mind of all feelings and memories that could be used against you. Eye contact is essential to Legilimency. I told you already, Deanna. You and Voldemort have a connection, and it seems that he is not yet aware of this connection yet, but because of this incident with the snake and Arthur Weasley has made him know about your connection and his and Harry's. You must learn Occlumency before he could make you do things you wouldn't want to do."

"Okay, Pops," said Deanna, standing up as well. "But I have a question, Pops. Where is that corridor? The one I've been dreaming of."

Dumbledore frowned at her. "Deanna-"

"I won't ask anything else for the rest of the night if you tell me, I promise," said Deanna, raising her two hands.

"All right," said Dumbledore with a deep sigh. "It's in the Department of Mysteries, the Ministry of Magic."

Deanna just nodded while she smiled at him. "Thanks, Pops, so let's start?"

"Indeed, love," said Dumbledore. "Take out your wand. You may use your wand to attempt to disarm me or defend yourself in any other way you can think of. Ready?" Once Deanna nodded, he waved his wand. "Legilimens!"

Deanna saw her life flash before her eyes. There she was, laughing with Ignatius and Thaddeus as they made Walburga and Orion Black's hair a golden yellow. Then, she was with Magnus, Elladora and Lucretia, chatting with them as Lorraine passed and winked at Magnus. Next moment, she was hugging Aries, Lorraine and Dallas for what she didn't know was the last time. The scene then changed to her and Tom, lying down in the Room of Requirement... Tom lifted his head and leaned in towards Deanna...

'No, you can't watch that...' she fell to the floor with that thought, gasping for breath.

Dumbledore walked to her with worry on his face. "Are you all right, love?"

"Y-Yeah," said Deanna, getting back up with his help. She looked at him and saw that his beard was singed off a bit. Deanna blushed and pointed to it. "Pops?"

"Yes?" said Dumbledore, looking down and patting it. With a wave of his wand, his beard was back to its majestic length. He smiled slightly at his daughter. "Are you ready to try again, love?"

"Y-Yeah, Pops," she said before looking at him with hesitance. "Pops? Did you see what I just saw?"

"I did, love," said Dumbledore, smiling slightly. "Just flashes. The last I saw was of Aries, Lorraine and Dallas. Now, that was a great first attempt though I must say I did not expect you to use the fire-making spell. This time, repel me with your brain. Shall we try again?"

"Yeah, Pops," said Deanna.

Dumbledore raised his wand at her. "Clear your mind, phoenix, let go of emotion. Focus... Legilimens!"

This time, Deanna saw Myrtle's dead body in front of her... Then, the graves of all her friends... Hugging Aberforth and Ariana's portrait... Her father, smiling softly at her with Fawkes by their side... Voldemort was angry at his Death Eaters... Her and Hermione's almost kiss. Then, she was walking down the corridor again.

'Protego!' Deanna thought, the memories fading away from her, while she had fallen to the floor once more. She looked at Dumbledore, panting. "H-How did I do, Pops?"

"You did well, love," said Dumbledore, helping her up and letting her lean on him. "What was that with Miss Granger?"

Deanna blushed lightly and avoided his eyes. "It was nothing."

"Nothing?" said Dumbledore amusedly. "If you say so, little phoenix, but I'm telling you. Hermione Granger is an amazing witch."

"She is," said Deanna softly before blushing when she realized what she just said. "I-I mean anyone would be lucky to have her. The person she likes should take care of her because she's beautiful, she's brilliant, she's caring and she's everything anyone would want." She stopped there and her cheeks became redder if that was even possible. "A-Are we done now, Pops?"

"We are, love," said Dumbledore, leaning in to kiss her forehead and smiling softly at her. "Good night, my little phoenix."

"Good night, Pops," said Deanna quickly running up to her room. Deanna watched him with a soft look on his face. He was glad that somehow, his daughter was starting to grow feelings for someone else and moving on from Tom Marvolo Riddle. All he wanted was for her to happy, and it seemed that Hermione Granger was the one who would be the cause of it.

As she got in, Deanna held her hand to her heart that started beating faster when she talked about Hermione Granger. Did she like the brightest witch of this age? Was she opening her heart once more to someone else? Deanna shook her head and started pacing around her room. Then, she stopped and started banging her head against the wall.

"Why did I say that? Why did I- AISH!" She jumped when she heard a cry behind her and saw a newborn Fawkes looking at her curiously. Deanna rubbed her aching head and yelped as her knees gave out from under her, and her eyes started closing.

There was the sound of maniacal laughter, and Deanna looked around and saw she wasn't in her room anymore. She turned around and gasped when she saw what was behind her. There was a pale white man with no hair at all. Deanna could only see his back, but she already knew who he was. It was Voldemort himself. He was laughing wildly as if something good had happened, but just as she was to ask what it was, Voldemort suddenly turned around, and Deanna knew that he could see her by the way his eyes widened.

"Deanna." But as he lifted his hand, Deanna was suddenly thrown back, and her eyes fluttered open with the sound of Fawkes' cry. She gasped and looked around. She was back in her room, laying on the floor and staring up at the ceiling. Voldemort wasn't there. She was safe, she was in Hogwarts. But as she lay on her bed, hugging Fawkes tight, she couldn't help but think... What could have happened to make Voldemort so happy?

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