As tradition the seventh year graduation party was held on the eve before the summer solstice to give luck to the new witches and wizards entering the world. It was the same for all magical schools and Hogwarts was not an exception to this rule.

Rachel Griffin, a graduate of the seventh year, had gone to the ceremony half way through the year with some of the others including her friend Rose Weasley but, as it was tradition to go, she came for the last hour of the party before midnight- as she had things to do the following morning. She had thrown herself into her part time job and it was ended that day so the newer students could get a taste of the work. She would be finding a new job soon but she wasn't that bothered as something was bound to turn up.

After staying in the hall long enough with the harder party goers she went to the lake and dipped her feet in the edge of the water. As she lazily rested herself on the bank she saw a sudden movement in the corner of her eye. In the Forbidden Forest.

Now despite being cautious she was too interested to leave it be and quickly slipped her shoes on and stuffed her socks in her jean pocket. Nimbly, she ran through the trees to where she had seen it, whatever it was. She looked right and saw the movement again and went left.

Slowly but surely she went deeper into the forest. When it was dark she illuminated the tip of her wand and looked at her watch. It was one minuet to twelve. One minuet to a new life.

She switched the light off and stuck the wand up her sleeve. She looked around but saw that there was no movement now- this was where it had led her to. Now she was even more curiouser, even though someone else might be a little frightened.

But then, suddenly, a different kind of darkness fell. Now she was a little worried.