The stairway leading up to Dumbledore's office was open. Arielle climbed the staircase slowly, grunting in annoyance. She'd be damned if she'd let Sirius get to her by mocking her with an Elvis song. When she reached the top of the staircase, she exhaled deeply and raised her hand to knock on the large wooden door.

"Come in." A soft voice called from behind the door before Arielle's knuckles touched the wood.

Arielle opened the door and found Dumbledore petting a fiery red phoenix.

"Beautiful isn't he?"

"Um….yes…" Arielle said hesitantly sitting down on the purple chair across the large desk in the center of the room.

"You've been avoiding our sessions Arielle." Dumbledore said pointedly taking a seat on the other side of the large desk.

So you've noticed then. Arielle thought.

"I've been busy with my brother's wedding, my classes, the Slug Club...you know…" Arielle mumbled. Deceiving Dumbledore was a bit harder then she thought.

"Yes. I'm quite aware." Dumbledore said strategically placing a hand on the issue of Witch Weekly that featured Arielle's scandalous debut. "How is Mr. Black fairing these days?"

"Which one?" Arielle asked innocently, knowing full which Black he was referring to.

"I'm afraid I must warn you Arielle…" Dumbledore began.

"Not to tell Regulus? Yeah I know. I won't be telling anyone," Arielle mummered.

Dumbledore looked at her curiously for a moment as if he was trying to read her thoughts.

"I see you've been practicing your meditations," Dumbledore said with glistening eyes.

"Er—yes well….I thought it would be best to have an impenetrable mind at the wedding."

Dumbledore merely smiled. "You are a clever witch, Arielle….talented as well. You've managed to master a skill that most witches and wizards could only dream of achieving, and all on your own of course."

The last bit sounded like a question to Arielle.

"Of course," She replied eyeing Dumbledore carefully.

"Then I believe you are ready for the next part of our lessons," Dumbledore smiled.

Arielle nodded in eagar agreement.

"Arielle, this may come as a bit of a surprise to you. This condition you have, with your unexplainable magical outbursts, I've seen something of the sort before. My sister, Ariana, suffered similar afflictions."

Arielle's mouth fell slightly ajar in shock. "Sir, I had no idea you had a sister." In fact, Arielle had never really given much thought to the idea that Dumbledore probably had a family. Dumbledore had parents. Dumbledore had a childhood home. Dumbledore played with toys.

Stop. Arielle shouted internally at her wandering mind.

"Yes. Sadly, she suffered a gruesome fate. I am hoping that I can help you avoid that fate Arielle. " He said turning around a golden framed picture on his desk. Arielle took the frame in her hands and stared at the portrait of a beautiful young girl.

"What happened to her?" Arielle asked placing the picture frame gently onto Dumbledore's desk.

"She was an obscurial. She couldn't control her magic, in fact, she repressed it….until the magic and the darkness ultimately consumed her." Dumbledore said solemnly. Arielle had never seen her headmaster look so sorrowful. It made him seem quite human.

"I tell you this Arielle, not because I think you are an obscurial, but because you have magical powers unlike I've seen in a long time...a very long time. This magic, once harnessed, could be a beautiful thing….or it could be a destructive thing." Dumbledore lamented.

"Destructive how?" Arielle questioned.

"It's time to be frank, my dear." Dumbledore stated firmly. "I am aware that your brother is in league with Lord Voldemort."

Arielle flinched. She had never heard that name spoken aloud before.

"If I am to help you, mentor you on your journey to becoming a powerful witch, I need assurance that you will not use your power to help Voldemort or further his cause in any way," Dumbledore stated outwardly.

Arielle considered her next words carefully. "Sir, I will not lie and say that I do not love my brother. I love him fiercely. However, if my brother is in league with the Dark Lord, he does not have my support. I never understood all the pureblood mania. I would never use my power to help the Dark Lord."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Of course you would not Arielle. You are an exceptional witch. However, these are dark times. I will need a bit more than your word."

Arielle raised her eyebrows curiously. "What did you have in mind Professor?"

Dumbledore eased back casually into his chair. "Are you familiar with the Unbreakable Vow?"

"I've come across the term in my readings before…" Arielle said cautiously.

"Do you know what it entails?" Dumbledore continued.

"Yes. I mean, I believe I do." Arielle stated. "You make a vow to someone and if you break that vow, you die."

"I believe you do understand the essence of it." Dumbledore said. "The Unbreakable Vow is what I will require from you, Arielle, in order for our lessons to continue."

"May I know the conditions of the vow?" Arielle asked.

"Of course." Dumbledore nodded. "Simply, you must vow not to use your powers to help Lord Voldemort or further his cause in any way."

"Well that settles it then." Arielle sighed standing up. Dumbledore stood up as well.

"Let's do this. "Arielle said extending her arm forward. Dumbledore gripped her arm and pulled out his wand from the pocket of his purple starry robe.

"Do you, Arielle Malfoy, vow to withhold the use of your magical powers to help Lord Voldemort or further his cause in any way unless told otherwise by myself, Albus Dumbledore?"

Arielle raised her right eyebrow curiously at the old man. He failed to mention that last bit.

"I do."

A golden rope twisted around Dumbledore's and Arielle's joined arms. The rope seemed to wrap around their wrists tighter and tighter until it finally exploded into a million tiny gold sparkles.

Arielle instinctively gripped her right wrist in her left hand.

"It will ache for a few days." Dumbledore smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.

"I have to ask Professor….the last part you mentioned….about you telling...or rather, giving me permission to further the Dark Lord's cause?"

"Ah, yes. In time child, in time….however, it is getting late."

"Right." Arielle said getting ready to leave.

"I'll see you Thursday evening then." Dumbledore called out gently as Arielle opened the door to the staircase. She paused for a moment, before closing the door firmly behind her.

Hello loyal readers. I have posted another short chapter for you all. What do you think of Arielle making the Unbreakable Vow? Will she come to regret this? Or do you think she made the right choice for her character? Let me know in the reviews :)