Choosing Darkness

Evening came quickly and Arista thought she\'d never be ready for it. She felt as if she were the one starting the lessons, instead of being the one teaching them. Her eyes shot one look out at her newly acquired wand; she didn\'t even know how to use it. Most likely, the wand would teach her. \"I suppose I\'ll need to name you soon.\" In response, she heard a hiss and saw a brief flash of shadow across the wall. \"It won\'t upsurp you, UniKazi.\" Her sword sat in its holder on the bookshelf looking much like a demented katana. \"But I cannot take you with me, tonight. It\'s the first night for the students, and I cannot scare them off on the first day.\" Just as she exitted her rooms, Severus was leaving his as well. Arista stopped for a moment and watched the Potions Master stop and stare at her.

Snape had never seen the dress she was wearing now. It was a deep metallic blue shade that shimmered with every step she made. Across the skirt was a silver slash that ran from her hip to the hem. Her bodice was form fitting, but not lewd and her sleeves ran only to the elbow. Along her throat was a necklace with the pendant of a dragon with wings spread protecting a unicorn. Twin drops of amethyst hung from her ears and her hair was red blonde in the torch light and cascading around her shoulders and back. When she smiled, it reached her eyes and with a sudden intake of breath, Snape realized that the smile was for him.

\"How do I look?\" She asked, breaking his concentration as she smoothed the skirt out.

\"This is not a tea party, Professor Starfyr,\" Snape sneered. ~Beautiful, as always.~

Arista was non-plussed with his reply. \"Any hints as to how that sleeping potion I need is going?\"

\"Never ask an artist what the portrait looks like before it is finished.\"

Her grey eyes moved upwards and captured his dark eyes in some web that he couldn\'t escape from. \"Touche\'. Then we should go up to the great hall, then.\"

One of Snape\'s eyebrows arched when she breezed by him. \"This is not a picnic, either.\"

\"Never said it was. But you could at least stop being such a stick in the mud.\" Arista twirled around the steps, flashing another bright grin. \"Another year to influence young minds-\"

\"Another year to discover what the world is coming to.\" Snape sputtered as Arista hand darted out and grabbed his to practically drag him up from the dungeons. He allowed himself to be lead through the corridors of the yet silent school, trying to figure out what was going on. This woman had dared touch him, even ignore his scowls that he wanted to be alone. She\'d also come to him in the Leaky Cauldron to find him and performed some healing magic. He still hadn\'t any idea as to what she\'d been yammering about broken circles and such. Snape yanked his hand back and gaped at her. \"What do you think you\'re doing?\"

Arista pouted a little when she stopped and turned. \"We\'re going to the Hall to greet the students.\"

\"No, ~we~ are not. ~You~ are trotting along the halls here like a yearling student!\" Snape took a step back as if embarassed he had raised his voice. He took a moment to straighten his robes and reclaim his dignified look. \"Now. We will ~walk~ to the hall and remain respectable adults.\"

Arista rolled her eyes. \"Oh, all right. We\'ll do it your way, for now, I guess.\" She seemed to settle down and wait for Snape to come to her. He then walked past her and strode for the Great Hall. \"Well, thank you! I never knew that the new gentlemanly thing was to go first in case there was evilness about!\"

\"What is the meaning behind your tattoo?\" Snape asked. If she was going to follow, he was going to get some answers.

\"It\'s the symbol of my house. My original path was to be a priestess, but that changed.\"

\"Changed?\"

\"There were unicorns in danger in my world,\" Arista started. \"They needed a guardian. I became that guardian.\"

\"So you guard unicorns.\"

\"From time to time.\"

\"What kind of priestess were you supposed to be?\"

\"I don\'t think you would really want to know.\"

\"Why not?\"

Arista didn\'t answer as she followed Snape. Her thoughts were answers unheard. ~Because if you knew, if anyone here knew, I\'d be killed.~ \"It\'s a trivial thing that\'s not important. I\'m here to teach these kids how to use magic without wands, not to lay on your leather couch and talk about my mother.\"

The Great Hall was bedecked in the splendor of students, house tapestries and the very sky. Arista barely took note of where she was going as she looked at the four long tables that held second through seventh year students. So many students. All the first years were not there yet, and Defense Against the Dark Arts was now mandatory for all students. She slowly sat in her chair when she realized that at least a thousand students were going to be under her care, and she would never have a free moment in her life again.

Hagrid, a giant of a man, came through the Halls\' doors with the first years. After announcing that they had arrived, he moved to take his place at the table. She watched on as the Sorting Hat then divided the new students into the four houses. There was loud and raucious applause as each child was selected. The feast was everybit as extravagant as it was magical, and once the plates had been magicked clean, Professor Dumbledore rose, leaning slightly against the table. \"I\'d like to welcome all the students to a year at Hogwarts. The start of term notices are as follows~\" he cleared his throat as if to get everyone\'s attention as a scroll rolled out from his hands. \"The Forbidden Forest is just that. No entry is allowed and is off limits to all students. Due to hightened security measures, all students are to be within Hogwarts halls by nightfall unless escorted by a professor. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week. Please contact Madam Hooch if you are interested in trying out. We also have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Starfyr.\" Polite applause sounded as Arista stood and took a slight bow before she sat back down. Her eyes drifted back to Dumbledore as he nodded back to her. \"During these most trying of time, I expect you all to take extra care in those studies. And now, for the school song. If everyone would choose their favorite tune and then follow the ribbon words-\"

Arista thought it was a little odd, but she shrugged and added her voice into the chaos. Beside her was another voice, so soft she had to lean into the owner\'s direction. Severus\'s eyes looked over to her as he sung the school song in some dirge Arista was not familiar with. She nodded at him as she repeated the words in some monotone, since the concept of taking any old tune and singing this song that no one else has the same tune. She motioned to him, trying to raise the volume. When the song finally ended and Dumbledore dismissed the students, Arista finally spoke. \"You should speak up, Professor Snape. Your singing voice is quite lovely. You\'d have been a decent Singer in my Tribe, just the right rust to a deep voice like yours turns it all to velvet.\"

\"I have been telling him that for years,\" Dumbledore announced from behind her. \"Though, I seemed to have forgotten about the Tribal part. Good night.\"

Snape shot her a withering look. \"I wish you wouldn\'t encourage him like that.\"

Arista made a clicking sound, but he couldn\'t find where it originated. \"If wishes were nickels, a rich girl, I would be. Dragons guard your dreams, Professor Snape.\"

**


Arista followed the gaggle of students over to one of the towers. They kept turning back and staring at her and whispering to their friends old and new. Suddenly there was a flashbulb that blinded her. Instinct then took over. A few second later, the camera was in her hands as she blinked away the funny spot that altered her vision. A half dozen wands were out and pointed in her direction. She lowered the camera down and slowly handed it back to the student who had taken a picture of her. The one closest to her held her gaze the longest. She hadn\'t seen green eyes like that since her friend, Psy.

\"Sorry, old habits die h-\"

There was a screech from overhead and all the students looked up. The first years nearly hid behind the older and taller students as Peeves screeched into view. Arista\'s head snapped up as the Poltergeist dumped a bucket over them. A word and a hand motion later, and the water disappeared and Arista\'s hands were on her hips as she stared up at the screaming thing that was circling over her. Her voice was quiet, but Peeves heard every word.

\"Stop. It. Now.\"

To the amazement of the students and Professor McGonagall, he listened to her. The Poltergeist floated above her with an expression of nervous fear on his face. He ~never~ had a look like that before if someone other than the Baron was around.

\"Go find someone else to haunt.\" The ghost poofed into nothingness. All the students gaped at her. \"Good night.\" She swished her dress and walked away.

\"Why do you think Peeves listened to her, Harry?\" asked Hermione.

\"I dunno,\" the green eyed student responded.

Ron nodded to the retreating form. \"I think she\'s even more jumpy than Moody was.\"

Harry Potter squinted through his glasses. \"Well, we\'ll find out tomorrow, Ron. We have double DADA in the morning.\"