Tested In Fire

Chapter Eight: It is Better To Have Loved...

"I can't believe our luck," Ron said excitedly as Hermione and Harry walked with him to Defense Against the Dark Arts. "We don't have Potions with the Slytherins, and our first class is Sirius's!"

"Ron," Harry said patiently, "did you look at who we happen to have Defense Against the Dark Arts with?"

"Hufflepuff. Isn't that wonderful?"

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "That was the old time-table, Ron. They've changed it."

Ron's eyes narrowed. "Well?"

"Slytherins."

"Damn it all to hell! Just when my day was going great..."

"My feelings exactly," Harry said, and opened up the heavy door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"Welcome to my Defense Against the Dark Arts class. There are a couple of things you need to know so that this year goes smoothly for us all," Sirius began the class. "First of all, I am not, and never was, a Death Eater. This doesn't mean that I don't know what I'm talking about.. Secondly, this class is not one that you can joke around in. You will earn your mark. I do not hand them out like sweets, even to those with whom I share a close bond. Favoritism will not be an issue. Deliberate provoking of other students will not be tolerated! Understood?"

The class nodded.

"I was in Gryffindor when I attended Hogwarts. In my sixth year I was suspended for two and a half weeks for baiting Severus Snape and almost getting him killed. I drove a flying motorcycle after I left Hogwarts, and I did not kill Harry's parents, even though I spent twelve years in a hellhole for doing so. That's my life story. Now we can begin our lesson.

"You all have come into contact with the Unforgivable Curses before, correct?" Without waiting for an answer, Sirius went on. "Let me tell you this: the Unforgivables are just the beginning. You can destroy a man's mind with the Cruciatus Curse... but there are curses that can inflict almost as much pain and deliberately keep you sane the whole time. The Imperius Curse can force you to do something you don't wish to, but there are other curses out there that make you do things without imposing a magical will upon you. You can kill a man with the Avada Kedavra, but you can take away his dignity with others. Another concept I hope you've run into is CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

The class jumped, as Sirius had been talking rather quietly up until that point. Quite suddenly he'd resumed his normal tone of voice. "The Dark Arts aren't just about inflicting pain. They're about destroying the human part of your soul. Voldemort didn't gain power by killing powerful witches and wizards, Voldemort gained power by taking away the human part of them. Voldemort gained power by acting like a Dementor on the whole wizarding world. You can't just sit back and hope he's defeated someday, people. You've got to act! You cannot let him intimidate you! He's not even human anymore. The first step is to say his name. I've never approved of this 'You-Know-Who' nonsense. His name is VOLDEMORT!"

The class flinched. Neville Longbottom was turning visibly white. "You see, the first step in his road to domination was this fear... fear induces panic, and panic is a state where you cannot function, cannot think properly. And when you cannot think, ladies and gentlemen, then you are dead faster than you can say the killing curse."

Draco Malfoy grinned smugly. "That's what must have happened to Potty's parents over there," he whispered to Crabbe and Goyle. "Panicked and just couldn't think... shame, really."

Sirius had heard this, unfortunately. "Mr. Malfoy, I do not have a history of dealing well with Slytherins, as your Head of House will likely tell you. In fact, didn't I just get through telling you I almost killed him? I just may not be quite sane. Do keep that in mind."

Harry almost didn't hear this part, as his fists were clutched. He was seeing red like never before. Malfoy found himself floating in the air all of a sudden.

"Harry! Harry, come on! Snap out of it," Hermione whispered fiercely. Then she had a flash of brilliance and gave him a good shake. Malfoy dropped from where he was floating twenty feet in the air like a rock.

Sirius felt the color drain from his face. It was all starting over again, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

"Five points from Slytherin and Gryffindor," he said as calmly as he possibly could. "Next time, Mr. Malfoy, watch what you say in the presence of those who are not completely in control. Mr. Potter, if you could see me after class?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Now, then. Let's get to work."

**

Anna waited patiently for her new pupil to show up. There was no doubt in her mind that Ginny would. After all, the dizzy spells and fits of nausea would be lighter today, but they would still be noticeable. It was time to reveal what she had been harboring for years. She had a feeling it was going to be painful to relive it all, both for her and for Ginny, but it had to be done if Harry and Ginny were to survive this year.

"Professor Black?" A redhead peered around the door, trying to see through the semi-darkness.

"Come in. I'm trying to move all of the things I need down out of this blasted room." When Ginny chuckled, Professor Black smiled ruefully. "Feeling any better, Miss Weasley?"

"Much." When Professor Black lifted an eyebrow, she sighed. "All right. I'm lying."

"I had a feeling. Did the young Mr. Potter catch on?"

"I think so. He kept sending me glances when he thinks I'm not looking. I honestly don't know why he's so worried about me. He's never noticed me before."

Anna smiled. "Things change, and you will find that many things are changing this year. Mr. Potter noticing you is only the beginning."

"Do you have to call me 'Miss Weasley'? I've always hated that. It's just... Ginny."

"All right then, 'Just Ginny', let me show you a story."

"Show me a story?"

"Right. Close your eyes. Touch my hand. Let your mind go, and let yourself flow into me. I could force your mind to accept the images, but it would be easier for the both of us if you would just submit your mind, for an instant, to me."

Ginny stiffened. "No, I don't think so."

"Virginia Weasley, I'm not Tom Riddle. I resent the implication that I'm anything like him."

Ginny's eyes widened. "Are you reading my mind?"

Anna dismissed the question with a gesture. "No, that's quite impossible. That'd be like me looking at your palm and telling you your date of death. Honestly, I'm a Seer, not a miracle worker."

Ginny grinned. Obviously this was an old argument with someone. It was good to know that this Professor that had entered her life in such an abnormal way was human.

"Ginny, I'm not going to go anywhere in your mind. I won't be able to get anything from your brain when we touch auras. I'm just going to transfer a memory of mine to you. All right?"

"It's just that..."

"I understand."

"All right."

"What?"

Obviously the Professor had been expecting more resistance than this. Ginny smiled, happy to have thrown off the woman she was quickly growing to like. "I said 'all right.'"

"Okay, then. Give me your hand."

Even though her hand was shaking, remembering the last time a person had even come close to doing anything like this, she was determined to this. There was something here she needed to know. She could feel it, almost like a dull ache in the back of her neck.

Anna took a deep breath. She wouldn't even think about the last time she had shared this memory with someone. That brought back too many painful memories.

"Now, I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to edit this..."

"Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me."

"You don't understand..."

"Are you backing out of this, Professor Black?" The smile Ginny shot her Professor was pure challenge, almost, Ginny realized with a start, like the ones Fred and George had given her before they had got her into trouble.

"I certainly am not! Let's get this show on the road, Ginny." With that, Anna placed her hand over Ginny's, and they were both taken back to a much happier time for Anna, and, as it turned out, Remus.

**

Hogwarts, 1976

Anna Black, fifth-year sister of the infamous Sirius Black, ran down the stairs at full speed, trying to make it the girls' bathroom before she released all of her supper. The transition from young witch into a mature Seer hadn't been easy on her, and she was ruing the genes that had given her what her Divination professor liked to call "The Gift."

"The Gift my arse," Anna murmured as she ran headlong into the bathroom. "More like a bloody curse."

"Anna? Anna, are you okay?" The concerned voice of Lily Evans floated over the high ceiling, making Anna grimace slightly as she lifted her shaky head to face the Gryffindor prefect.

"I'm fine, Lily, I think."

When Anna turned to face Lily, the older girl couldn't help but gasp. "Let's get you cleaned up. For goodness sake! How long have you been this sick?"

"I'm not sick."

"Like bloody hell you're not." Anna let out an inadvertent chuckle, Lily Evans rarely cursed, and when she did, Anna had to bend her head over the toilet again.

"I believe my brother and his friends are wearing off on you."

"Let's not worry about them for a minute."

"Lily, I can take care of myself."

"Does Sirius know you're this sick?"

"I thought we were going to forget about him for a bit."

"Stop evading the question."

"No, he doesn't. Only the professors know. It's supposed to be a manifestation of my Divination power, or something like that..." Anna couldn't believe that she'd opened her mouth and blurted out the truth like that. There was something about Lily Evans...

"All right, chin up. Get your head out of that mess. If you keep looking at it, it will only get worse."

"Ugh. I don't think it can get worse."

"It can." Without another word, Lily grabbed Anna's face and flushed the toilet. Taking a towel of the rack, she wiped Anna's face. "Feeling sorry for yourself makes it much, much worse."

"Lily, thanks. There's something you should know about James..." she heard herself saying, and she couldn't stop herself.

"Anna? What's wrong?"

"Three Seers this prophecy will foretell,

I, the first, bid you well,

One is false, I am true,

One will reveal the truth to you.

The Dark Lord is rising, his power is great,

He will be defeated by a twist of fate,

Love, you see, more powerful than all,

Deals the mighty Dark Lord a powerful fall.

A stag, a wolf, a dog and a rat,

Three are true... one is not.

Things are not as they appear

when the Dark Lord draws near

He arises anew,

Takes vows under the yew.

My part has ended; I can rest now in peace,

Take heed of what I say, do not forget,

On this your future rests.

"Anna... What is this all about? Anna, come on! Snap out of it!"

"What'd I say? You have to tell me, Lily... It could be important..."

"Something about the Dark Lord...What's going on?"

"I'm supposed to be the first real Seer in almost half a century. You've just been the only witness to my first prophecy. Congratulations," Anna said and promptly leaned over the toilet and threw up again.

**

Later that day, Anna walked through the portrait of the Fat Lady just in time to hear a conversation between the Marauders and Lily.

"I'm worried about Anna," Lily said. James was sitting, leaned back against the comfortable couch in the Common Room, trying desperately not to be distracted by the presence of Lily sitting across the room in a big recliner. Sirius was on his right, and Peter on his left. Remus leaned over them all, his arms draped casually over the couch.

"Sirius's sister Anna?"

"Of course. Do you know anyone else named Anna?"

"No. What's wrong with Anna?"

"She was...awfully sick."

"Sick? Anna didn't tell me she was sick..." Sirius started.

"Hullo, everyone."

"Good evening, Anna." Lily said this quietly, but her words could be heard throughout the room. Lily had that affect on a room.

"What's up, Anna?" His brown eyes searched the young woman he considered a sister with an almost desperate urgency.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Remus tapped the couch once with his palm, the Marauder's code that told James that Anna was lying.

"Tell me the truth."

"I don't... I'm not supposed to talk about it." Anna's eyes sought out Lily's and held them.

"Give her a break," Lily said finally. Remus narrowed his eyes. Lily raised her head slowly from where she'd been studying her nails with a studied disinterest.

"You look sick," Remus said, his tone very caring.

"Madam Pomfrey says I'll be fine in a couple of days," Anna said, almost speaking through gritted teeth. Then she reached out and touched Remus's arm. They both gasped instinctively. Remus's lips lifted in a sardonic smile.

"Are you going to hate me now?" he asked softly, speaking so that only the two of them could hear.

"Never, Remus Lupin. I'm angry, but I'm never going to hate you. Why didn't you just tell me?"

"If I'd known you were a bloody Empath, I would have."

"I'm not an Empath, I'm a Seer."

"Seers can't read other people's thoughts."

"I wasn't reading your thoughts, I was reading your aura!"

"Like there's a whole lot of difference!"

Lily and James caught each other's eye and they both turned away to hide their chuckles. Sirius, who had been unusually quiet, glared sullenly.

"All right, you two," Sirius said, irritated.

"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Peter asked, thoroughly confused.

"Remus and Anna are fighting. Isn't it wonderful?" Lily asked with an overly dramatic sigh.

"How is that wonderful?" Sirius wanted to know.

"Nothing. You wouldn't understand," Lily said with a roll of her eyes.

"James, do you understand this?"

James just shrugged his shoulders. "It's beyond me, mate." Then he winked at Lily, who had the graciousness to blush.

"She's my sister, I ought to know what's going on!"

**

Hogwarts, Present Day

"What's wrong, Professor Black?"

"I'll be fine," Anna said. "I'm just... so tired. Sharing memories about James and Lily is going to be especially hard for me. I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. Sit back here on the couch. Just lean back."

"What did you see?"

"Everything. Your prophecy, Lily's reaction, Remus, Sirius... I don't know if I can call them 'Professors' now that I've seen that."

"You'd better be able to. I don't know how Remus would feel about me showing you that."

"You were in love, weren't you?"

"I was, at least."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Remus and I did not part on the best of terms. We never did get on very well, and I think it's time for you to return to your dormitory."