To my surprise, when we left Draco unconscious in the hospital wing, Snape did not lead me down into the dungeons where Draco had told me Snape practically lived, but instead we went up more stairs and along several corridors until we reached an ugly stone gargoyle.

"Fizzing Whizbees," Snape muttered as he halted in front of it.

What the...? I stared at him, thinking it was me that was going crazy. And then to my great surprise and fright, the gargoyle came to life and... stepped aside.

A slowly ascending circular staircase was revealed. Snape motioned for me to follow and I stepped on it after him, where it took us up to a pair of double oak doors.

"Where-" I began to ask, but was cut off with a furious, "Silence!" from Snape.

He hastily rapped on the door before opening it urgently, without waiting for an invitation.

It would have been a room I would normally look around in awe at, but I was feeling too terrified, and too heart broken to take it in.

An elderly looking man sat behind a desk in the middle of the circular room. I swallowed. It was Dumbledore.

"Ah!" He said breezily, greeting me with a warm smile, "please sit, please sit."

And with a flick of his wand, he literally drew up a pair of large comfy armchairs in front of his desk and gazed at me over the top of his half-moon spectacles.

"It is nice to finally meet you, Astrid," Dumbledore continued to smile at me, his eyes twinkling, as I nervously sat down.

"Professor," Snape spoke with a stern impatience, refusing to sit down, "we do not have time for chit chat, we've wasted enough time as it is!"

"Patience, Severus, patience," Dumbledore answered calmly, waving a hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

Sighing a deep exasperated sigh, Snape reluctantly took the armchair next to me.

"Now, tell me child," Dumbledore turned his attention back to me, his eyes glistening kindly, "how have you being enjoying my school? I see young Draco has been taking you under his wing."

I stared at him, my mouth agape. "You- you... know?" I stuttered.

Dumbledore chuckled warmly, his kind eyes twinkling even more brightly, "I know everything that goes on in my school, Miss William's. It is my job, after all."

"P-please don't be mad at Draco," I implored, feeling panicked at how much this old man did actually know, "he was saving me, he was being-"

"Very noble indeed," Dumbledore finished for me, nodding in agreement, "yes, he's a good boy, Draco. Knowing you has obviously brought out his true colours, Astrid. I will not punish him for that, not when it shows what a kind and fiercely loyal person he can be."

A tear unexpectedly fell down my cheek - it was difficult to hear this kind hearted man to talk about Draco so wonderfully after we had spent all year trying to kill him.

"Do not be sad, my dear," Dumbledore continued gently, "Severus and I will both make sure he is looked after. It is not his fault he is in the position he is in."

Horrified, I looked from him to Snape. Dumbledore knew? All this time and he knew Draco was trying to kill him? And he knew I was hiding out in his school?

How on earth was he acting so calm?!

I suddenly had so many questions. About Draco, about Dumbledore, about Snape - my uncle.

"I can see you have a lot of questions, Astrid," Dumbledore spoke as if reading my mind, "but Severus is correct, and it is imperative that we get you somewhere safe. As you know this, school will not be that for much longer, thanks to our young Draco's efforts."

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, suddenly feeling fearful, the idea of leaving this school and Draco breaking my heart.

"Do not be alarmed, my dear," Dumbledore said, as he and Snape both stood, walking over to the fireplace. Snape held out a piece of paper as he beckoned me over to him.

I slowly stood up, feeling utterly baffled. Walking over to him, I shakily took the paper from his hand, and looked down.

"What is this?" I asked frowning up at him.

"This, Astrid," Snape said, "will be your new place of residence. Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, of whom you will be placed in their protection - our protection."

"B-but I thought you said you had found a Muggle home for me..."

"No one must know, not even Draco. It is a top secret location that only those who need to know, know about."

"So- so you won't be erasing my mind?" I asked quietly, remembering what Draco said.

"Why in merlins beard would we do that?" Dumbledore chuckled kindly.

"Draco said Snape didn't want me to know about- about being part of the wizarding world," I said, not being able to look at Snape, "that it was too dangerous for me."

I couldn't help but notice Dumbledore and Snape exchange a withering look.

"If I had it my way, you would have stayed safe and oblivious in the Muggle world," Snape spoke, "But as it is, you now know that you are my... my niece, and conferring with Professor Dumbledore, we both agreed that sending you back to the Muggle world wouldn't be in your best interest anymore. And, as your uncle, I have decided to take on your care."

"I'm afraid young Draco may have been getting carried away in regards with memory modifying!" Dumbledore smiled, his eyes glinting merrily, "it is not something one would usually do unless it truly is the last resort. And if I may say so myself, you could do a lot worse than Severus for an uncle, so to deny him would be such a waste."

I felt my heart soaring, I couldn't believe this was happening. I just wished so much that I could let Draco know. But my heart saddened again when I realised he wouldn't ever be allowed to know. I just prayed that Dumbledore and Snape could help him.

"Come now," Snape said, picking up a box on top of the fireplace, "it is time - more questions can be answered once we get there."

I watched as he took something from the box and threw it into the fire, turning the flames an alarming emerald green colour.

"Do not say the place out loud, you must think it clearly in your head." Snape said, stepping into the flames.

I nearly screamed as he disappeared.

"Go on, young Astrid, do not be afraid," Dumbledore ushered me gently forwards towards the fire, which was still burning green. "Your new home awaits."

Shakily, not quite believing I was doing this, I stepped into the fire, trying not to think how peculiar it felt.

Closing my eyes tight, I brought my new address to mind, feeling a fluttering in my stomach.

Twelve Grimmauld Place, London