Never Alone

Chapter 3

Getting Settled

Harry got up early the next morning. He wanted to help Anna settle in and get used to the place. But when he went down to the common room, he found her sitting with Hermione and a group of giggling girls. It was like they were old friends who were used to each other. He walked over to the group of girls and whispered, 'Good morning,' in his sister's ear. She looked up at him and gave him an adoring smile.

'Morning, Harry,' she said cheerfully.

He sat next to her and said, 'I see you've made a few friends.'

'It's not so hard. Everyone is so nice.'

'Well, would you mind having breakfast with me before Slughorn's class?'

'No, not at all; I'm really hungry.'

'So am I. All we had to eat was dessert. But first, I want to give you something.'

He took her to a lonely corner and said, 'I sort of got you something.'

She smiled and said, 'I got you something, too. But you go first.'

'Okay.' He handed her the box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. 'I thought since you lived with Muggles you've probably never had them before.'

She took the box and pecked Harry on the cheek. 'Thanks. I've heard of them, but never really had them.'

Harry was blushing like crazy. 'I'm glad you like'm,' he said hastily.

'Do they really have every flavor?' she asked skeptically.

'As far as I know.'

'Well, here's what I got you. I hope you don't think it's stupid.' She handed him a small box, roughly the size of his palm. He opened it and inside was one of those doughnut-shaped charms that are hung around the neck by a leather thong. It was a deep shade of green.

Anna explained, 'Whenever you need me, this charm will let me know. As Dumbledore told you, I'm psychic and this is somehow...er, connected to me. I always felt it when you were in trouble, so I guess this will help me more than it'll help you.'

Harry had a blank look on his face. 'You feel it whenever I'm in danger?'

'Yeah, I never understood why. Last year was the worst though. I kept sending Dumbledore owl after owl. I think I drove him crazy. But he was sweet. He got that I needed to make sure you're all right. But I guess in the end you weren't,' she ended sadly.

'Um, well yeah. Umbridge was horrible. Help me with this.' He indicated the charm.

'You're going to wear it?'

He furrowed his eyebrows and said, ''Course I'm wearing it.'

She smiled and helped him put the charm on. She straightened it for him and said, 'Perfect. I thought the color would suit you.'

'Thanks. Honestly, I like it. Now can we go eat? I'm really hungry.'

Anna waved goodbye to the girls and went down to the great hall with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville. On the way, Hermione explained that she had a long talk with the Gryffindor girls about asking Anna any questions. Apparently they had a lot. But Hermione told them that Anna would answer when she was ready. As they entered the Great Hall, everyone in the room looked at Harry and Anna. A shiver ran down Anna's spine. Was this how Harry felt during his first year? Probably. It was frightening. All eyes were on her and everyone was quiet. Harry took her by the hand and gave her a reassuring smile. They had breakfast with the other Gryffindors and headed for Slughorn's class.

In Slughorn's class, Anna was just as smart and almost as pushy as Hermione was. They collectively earned their house forty points. Hermione liked having another smarty-pants in class; it gave her a challenge. Harry realized that Anna was much better at Poisons than he was. Snape couldn't bug her the way he did Harry because she knew what she was doing. Harry had to stifle a laugh at Snape's expression. The odd thing he noticed was that Draco Malfoy kept glancing at Anna, and she at him. He wondered if they'd met before.

So after class, as they walked to transfiguration, he asked, 'Do you know Malfoy?'

'Yes, I met him last night. You see, I was lost and he helped me find Professor Dumbledore's office. You don't like him, do you?'

Harry didn't expect that. 'To say the least.'

'I know. I was putting it mildly. I'm sure you have your reasons.'

Ron cut into the conversation and walked between the twins. 'Has his reasons? Malfoy's a git. He's always tried to get us in trouble, not to mention last year's fiasco.'

'Oh, yes. Dumbledore told me about that.'

Ron scowled at her. 'He told you?'

'Yes, he did. Dumbledore and I have been corresponding for years now. That's how I know so much about you all. And I know everything that happened last year.' She looked at Harry with sadness in her eyes. 'I'm sorry about Mr. Black, Harry.'

He stopped walking, startled at the use of Sirius' last name. They all stopped with him and he said, 'Sirius, Anna. He was your godfather, too. And honestly, I'm sorry you didn't get to know him.'

'Uhum.'

During Transfiguration, Anna excelled again. She and Hermione sat next to each other and competed over every question. And already the school was a buzz about how smart the new Potter girl was. Everyone was speculating on some hidden talents. Her brother was a parsolmouth and a phenomenal Seeker. Everyone thought she would be the same. Harry wanted to keep the fact that Anna was psychic a secret, and she sensed that, so she respected his wishes. Whenever she accidentally said something people wouldn't normally know, she'd say that Dumbledore told her. Those generally made Harry stifle a laugh. He realized that he already had a thing with his sister, something of their own.

Anna was getting tired of all the whispering though, and it was only her first day. At least no one had asked her anything... yet. At lunch, she sat with Harry and the others, keeping her eyes on her plate. Everyone was still staring. You'd think after a whole day of staring and whispering, people would get bored or tired. But then a guy approached her from the Slytherin table. She looked up instinctively. He had one eyebrow cocked and he looked at her.

'What?'

He was startled but then he composed himself. 'I just wanted to ask you something, Potter.'

She didn't like the sound of that. But she reluctantly nodded. 'Where have you been all these years?'

She frowned. She thought everyone knew about the Muggle cousins already. But that couldn't be what the guy meant, could it? 'I was living with cousins of mine,' she said matter-of-factly.

He smirked. By that time a few more Slytherins had joined him. 'You know that's not what I mean. Why were you with them, not with your parents?'

A blonde girl added, 'And if those cousins were as nice as we've heard they were, then why are you here?'

Many were talking together then. Some asking what had happened for her to come to Hogwarts and some were wondering why Dumbledore had kept her a secret. Harry finally had enough and threatened to curse anyone who came close to Anna. She felt a surge of gratitude towards her brother; he was already protecting her. After lunch, everyone went back to class.

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Anna always wanted to meet Harry. She loved her brother so much and all she wanted was for him to love her, too. She had a feeling he was starting to like her; he did seem to care already. At the end of the first week of school, Anna received a message from professor Snape, asking her to meet him in his office before dinner. She thought it best not to inform Harry. So she made up some excuse for being late to dinner and headed for the defense teacher's office. She knocked on the door and heard a muffled, 'Enter.'

She opened the door tentatively and peered in. She did her best to ignore the disturbing pictures all over the walls, but she was unsuccessful. After all, the pictures were screaming. Professor Snape was sitting behind his desk with his back to her.

She cleared her throat and said, 'Professor, you wanted to see me?'

'Yes, Miss Potter. Sit.'

She was startled by the tone of the order, but sat down in the empty chair just the same. Professor Snape spun around and looked at her for a few minutes before talking.

'I suppose the headmaster told you about my loyalties?'

She looked at the floor before replying, 'Yes, sir.'

'And?'

She looked at him. 'I'm not sure what you mean, sir.'

'I mean, do you hate me?'

From what she knew about Snape, he wasn't the kind of man who asked a lot of deep questions. She didn't really know what to say. It was a hard question to answer though.

'I, I don't hate you, no. But I honestly don't know what to think, sir. You hate Harry so much, but I know you don't hate me.'

He looked startled. 'Dumbledore told me about your powers, but I didn't think he was right.'

She rolled her eyes and said, 'Well, looking at Trelawney, you'd think Dumbledore's a little off.'

Snape actually smiled at that. That gave Anna some encouragement. They were both silent for some time.

'Why don't you hate me, sir?'

He raised an eyebrow and said, 'You tell me, Miss Potter.'

'Oh, please: Anna. And I think you don't hate me because I remind you of my mother.'

'Did Dumbledore tell you about her?' he asked, his eyes widening.

'I'm not sure what you mean. All I know is that for some reason, you've switched sides. But I'm right, aren't I, sir?'

Snape was starting to rethink what he was doing. The girl knew more than he would like her to. But he didn't think this could harm him, so he ventured on.

'What else do you think you know?'

'I don't know, sir. I feel. It's different. And if you really want to know, then I'll tell you. As long as you don't use it against me one day,' she said, raising her eyebrows.

He had an amused look on his face. Apparently, she inherited her cheek from her dad. How revolting. 'I won't. I swear.'

She sat up straight in her seat and began talking, 'I think you and Mum were friends. She possibly betrayed you, or at least that's how you feel. I think she wanted you to make sure I was okay.' She furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. 'And I think she called you Sev, didn't she? '

He had the oddest look on his face. 'Oh, and Professor, I know you're using Occlumency on me now,' she said with a bold smile.

His eyes pealed wide. 'Your skills are impressive, Anna. You were right. But, answer me this: How did you know about your mother's letter to me?'

She shrugged and shook her head. 'I didn't know there was a letter. You were kind of replaying words in your head. Could you tell me about the letter, sir?'

'As long as no one hears of this.'

He glared at her for a second. 'No, sir. No one.'

'Good. Then her it goes. I'm sure you know that by the time you and your brother were born, I'd already become a Death Eater. And yet, when your mother died, she left me a letter asking me to keep you safe. She said that you had nothing to do with the war. It was Harry's war, she'd said. I confronted Dumbledore with the letter and he told me that you were indeed alive--'

Anna cut him off, 'Do you know how grateful I am to you? For everything you did with Harry?'

He looked sad, and he knew there was no use hiding it. 'I never did anything to keep you safe. I failed at the one thing Lily asked of me.'

'But you didn't. Sev, don't you see? I'm fine. I'm here now and nothing can hurt me. And in my eyes, you did me well by taking care of Harry.'

Snape didn't expect her to use the nick name her mother used. She looked so innocent. Yes, she looked like her dad, but Snape could see Lily's spirit in her. And when Anna spoke about Harry, he could see how much she loved him in her fiery eyes. 'You really love him, don't you?'

She smiled wistfully. 'He's all I have. I may not know a lot, but I know I'd die if anything happened to him.'

Snape sighed. 'He's lucky to have you, Anna. Now, you may leave.'

'Yes, sir.' And she left the office. Many thoughts were bouncing in her head. That was very intense for her. She never expected Severus Snape to open up to her like that, even if he did take her powers into consideration. It was past dinner time and she wasn't hungry, so she headed for the Common Room. She arrived at Gryffindor Tower in no time at all. She went and sat down next to Harry in front of the fire. She opened her bag and started working on her Transfiguration assay.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat up, staring at her. She felt their eyes on her and she stopped working.

'What?'

Ron looked at her through narrow eyes. 'What do you mean "what"? What happened?'

Hermione hit him on the back of the head. 'Ow! What was that for?'

'What Ron means is that we know Snape asked you to his office. Is everything all right?' Hermione asked in her usual caring tone.

'Yes, he just wanted to let me know how well I did on yesterday's assignment. That's all. Now, can we work?'

They went back to work. Harry was still looking at Anna with skepticism writing all over his face. 'Anna, may I have a word with you?'

She looked at him expectantly. 'In private, please.'

'Oh, sure.' They left their things all over the table and went to Harry's dorm. As they walked, everyone's eyes were on them, and Anna was already getting used to it. Not that she liked it. Anna was afraid that she wouldn't be able to keep a secret from Harry. His intense gaze seemed to pierce though her like bullets. Harry sat down on his bed and patted next to him for her to sit down too. She hesitated, but eventually sat down. She had her hands on her lap as always. Harry clasped her hands with his left hand. She jumped at his touch.

'Hey, are you okay?'

'Umm, fine. So, what did you want to talk about?'

He focused his gaze on her and she felt herself falter. 'What happened with Snape? And don't say nothing happened or that thing about the assignment.'

She gave him a crooked smile. 'Will it be okay if I said I can't tell you?' She had a somewhat pleading tone.

His shoulders dropped and he let go of her hands. 'You too, huh?'

The half-smile dropped off her face. 'Me too, what?'

Harry got up and walked across the room and stood next to the window. He sighed.

'You're keeping secrets from me, too. I thought that you of all people would know how much trouble secrets have gotten me into.'

She stood up. 'Harry, It's not what you think, I--'

He spun around with fury in his eyes and said, 'Not what I think? How do you know what I think? I don't even know you. And here I thought I could trust my own sister.'

Anna was frantic, she needed to explain things to Harry, but she knows how high strung he is. 'Harry, please--'

'NO! Just leave. Now!'

She ran out of Harry's dorm with tears streaming down her face. She ran out of the portrait hole, Hermione calling after her, and decided to hide in the library. No one would watch her or ask her questions in there. She didn't even bother to get her things. She'd met Dobby earlear that week and thought he'd probably be willing to bring her things. When she stopped crying she called out Dobby's name, quietly so that Madam Pince wouldn't kick her out. Dobby heard her and came with a crack!

'What can Dobby do for Miss Anna?'

'Hi, Dobby. How are you?'

Dobby's eyes blurred with tears as they did every time someone was nice to him. 'I'm very well, Miss Anna. Thank you ever so much for asking about poor Dobby.'

'Umm, Dobby, could you possible get my things from the Gryffindor Common Room for me?'

'I'll be back in a minute.'

'Oh, and Dobby... If anyone asks where I am, don't tell them.'

'Yes, Miss Anna.' She smiled at him and sat down at a lonely table.

Dobby was gone and back as fast as he said he would be. Anna thanked him and he left. Just as she applied quill to parchment, she was interrupted by a drawling voice.

'Why, if it isn't little Miss Potter. Do you mind me sitting here?'

It was Draco Malfoy. Although she was in no mood to hear anyone bad mouth her brother or question her incessantly, she nodded. He sat down next to her. Unlike her, Draco didn't have his book bag with him.

'I doubt you'll be studying without you're things.'

He smirked at her and said, 'Very perceptive of you, Potter. I don't intend to study, as you put it.'

Anna frowned. 'Well, what are you doing here then?'

His face slackened. 'I'm hiding from my friends, if you could believe it.'

She smiled and rolled her eyes. 'I believe it. I'm hiding from my friends, too.'

He raised his slender eyebrows and said, 'Your little friends bothering you, Potter?'

'Anna, and no, not my friends. Harry.'

'Oh, a sibling squabble.'

'You don't have to say it like that, Draco. But, yes, Harry and I did fight.'

She looked really sad, and that, for some reason beyond Draco's understanding, made him feel sorry for her. 'Very few people call me Draco. You say it quite nicely though.' Anna blushed. 'Listen, how about you stop studying and I take you somewhere to cheer you up?'

She thought about it for a moment and then closed her books and packed her things. Draco offered to carry her bag for her, and oddly, she let him. He took her to the Astronomy Tower.

'I thought this place was out-of-bounds at night.'

Draco smirked and said, 'It is, but I'm a Prefect and I don't think anyone will find us here.' He bowed her in. 'Ladies first.'

She smiled and went in. The sky was beautiful that night. A million stars were brightly glittering in a sea of black. And the air was just starting to cool.

'You're not going to badger me with twenty questions are you?'

He didn't get the twenty questions thing but he shook his head. 'No, I'm not. If you're going to tell me, you'll tell me on your own.'

She smiled and looked at the sky. 'You know, Draco, living in a city leaves very little chance to see a sky this amazing.'

Draco stood next to her near the parapet. He dropped Anna's bag at his feet and leaned on the parapet. 'It is amazing, isn't it? I come here whenever I feel bad.'

'Which is often.' Her eyes widened. She hadn't meant to say that. She clapped her hands to her mouth, startled. Oh, dear.

Draco straightened and looked at her. 'What did you say?'

'Nothing. Nothing at all,' she said frantically.

'You said "often." How did you know that?' he was looking at her with suspicion.

She didn't know what to say. She had to think fast though. But then, she realized that her instincts were telling her to trust him. And as always, Anna acted on instincts.

She gave him her back and said, 'Draco, can I trust you?'

He frowned. 'I never thought a Potter would ever ask me that.'

She turned to look at him square in the face. 'Can I?'

He was a little confused and taken aback. 'I guess.' She frowned. 'Yes, you can trust me,' he said confidently.

She took a deep breath and explained to Draco about her powers and that Harry preferred if no one knew just yet. Draco listened to her, nodding politely every so often. He couldn't understand what made Anna tell him and what made him listen for that matter. But he listened anyway. Might as well, if he cared.

When Anna finished, Draco was silent for the longest time. He was trying to mull over the idea of her being psychic. She certainly didn't know what he was thinking just then. His thoughts were jumbled up so bad, she couldn't read through them. She decided to wait like a normal person.

'Draco?'

'Huh?'

'Are you alright?'

He shook his head as if to dislodge something in his brain. 'I'm fine. I just didn't think you'd be a psychic.'

She scoffed. 'Neither did I, believe me.'

'Well, I don't suppose it matters, does it?'

She didn't know what he meant. And she was puzzled, which wasn't very often. 'What do you mean?'

He looked at her and his smirk was gone. 'I mean, I like you. And at the risk of embarrassing myself, I want to know if you like me back.'

She bit her bottom lip then said, 'I think I like you. I don't know why, but I do.'

'Good.'

'Good.'

They ended up staying in the tower until curfew. Draco escorted Anna to Gryffindor tower himself so she wouldn't get in trouble. Draco was carrying Anna's bag, so when they got to the portrait hole, he handed it back to her. She thanked him and was about to leave when he called, 'Potter!'

She turned back to look at him. He had his dazzling smirk on and was looking at her intently. 'Yes?' she asked.

He leaned against the wall, trapping Anna between his arm and the wall. The gesture was making her nervous. She really wasn't used to people invading her personal space, or at least, invading it with no ill will. Draco was so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face. It wasn't unpleasant, just a little uncomfortable.

Draco said softly, 'Next weekend is the first Hogsmeade trip. I was wondering if you would like to go with me.'

Anna blushed, ducked under his arm to free herself and nodded. Draco stood up straight and put his hands in his pockets.

'It's a date, then. You do know your brother will go ballistic when he finds out.'

She laughed. 'To you, that's a bonus. Goodnight, Draco.'

He bowed his head and said, 'Goodnight, Anna.'

Anna found Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting in the same seats they were in when she left them earlier. Not wanting to fight with Harry, she headed straight for her dorm. Harry barely called her name once before his voice was faded out by the distance between them. Anna felt bad for going to bed upset with Harry, but she felt another conversation with him would lead to telling him about Draco asking her out. She knew perfectly well how much Harry despised Draco.

She sat on her bed, pouting. She knew why Harry hated Draco. Dumbledore told her everything, more or less. She figured she should hate him too, but she couldn't. There was something about him that she couldn't ignore. She finally gave up thinking and got ready for bed. She got into bed just as Hermione was coming up. She was sure Hermione would try to play peace keeper. Right now, Anna wasn't interested, so she feigned sleep. After a while, she did fall asleep and Hermione gave up on her.

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Draco Malfoy walked back to the Slytherin common room with a cocky look on his face. Potter will have a dragon over this, he snickered to himself. When he entered the cold common room, he easily found Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. They started as he approached them. 'Come with me,' Draco ordered.

They followed him to his dorm, which was empty. He sat down on his bed with his friends sitting on the bed across from his. He told them about spending time with Anna. Why the hell not? They were his friends, he could trust them.

Finally Draco said, '...And I don't think my father will like this.'

Crabbe interjected, 'Then don't tell'm.'

Draco was shocked. He raised an eyebrow and said, 'Vincent, you rarely make sense to me, but I think that's a good idea.'

Goyle looked affronted. 'I could've suggested that.'

Draco was tiered of his friends competing for his attention. 'Well maybe next time, Greg. If none of us inform my father, someone else is bound to.'

Crabbe and Goyle were scratching their heads to come up with a solution to Draco's problem. A thought appeared in Goyle's little brain. 'We don't tell anyone and you and Potter keep it a secret until your date. By then, no one can do anything about it.'

Draco thought it unsettling that his friends were coming up with ideas all of a sudden. 'Did you two have something new for dinner tonight?'

'No,' his companions said in union.

Draco was scarcely relieved. He knew his father would not approve of him dating a Potter.

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The next day, Anna did her best to avoided Harry. Harry tried to talk to her before breakfast, but he missed her as she went through the portrait hole. He couldn't find her during breakfast either. Where is she? They had Defense Against the Dark Arts, he couldn't possibly talk to her with Snape around. In fact, during class, Snape seemed determined to keep Harry and Anna separated. It only made Harry angrier with Anna.

Harry finally caught up with his twin after the day's classes. She was in the library studying. He sat next to her so quietly that she was startled.

'Harry! Don't do that!' She swatted his arm.

'Hey!' He held his arm where she hit him. 'I just want to talk. Please?'

She scowled. 'You won't scream at me again?'

He thought about his answer for a second before he said, 'I can't promise. You know how short I've been lately. Please? I'll beg if I have too.'

'Fine. But give me a minute here. Go to your dorm and I'll be along in while.'

He stood up. 'Sure?'

'Yes, I swear. Now go.'

Harry shrugged and left. Why did she want to stay in the library? Well, she would probably tell him later. Anna watched her brother leave. She could never understand why she loved him so much. He's the only constant in my life. That was always her answer. She was waiting for Draco. He passed her a note in potions today. He told her to keep their meeting a secret. She wasn't exactly okay with that, but she was sure Draco had a good reason behind his request.

Just as she finished packing her things, Draco placed a light hand on her shoulder. She beamed at him and he could only smile back. What's behind that smile of hers? He took her to one of the secret passages for privacy. She leaned against the wall, waiting for him to talk. He explained Crabbe's and Goyle's ideas to her and she agreed. Draco was obviously relieved at that. She had to leave quickly before Harry got a brilliant idea to use the Marauder's map to find her. She really needed to ask Lupin if there's a way to elude the map. She doubted it, though.

Harry was about to reach for the Marauder's map when Anna came in. He stood up and asked her to sit down. He thought it would be better for him to pace around the room instead of sitting. Anna wanted to talk but he cut her off by putting his finger to her lips. Anna shrugged.

'I'm sorry about last night. I should have let you explain--'

'You don't have to apologize, Harry. You were right.'

'What?' He stopped pacing and raised his eyebrows. That wasn't what he expected.

'You were hurt before, I understand. But you must know that I would never hurt you. And...' He tried to interrupt, but she went on, '...The secrets I'm keeping can't hurt you. They're like when a woman lies about her age. It's a lie of convenience; it has nothing to do with malice.'

He plopped down next to her, dejectedly. 'The secrets Dumbledore kept from me hurt me even though he kept them to make sure I'm safe and fine. That isn't the case anymore. Sirius died because of secrets. I don't have much to lose anymore. Other than you, that is.'

She smiled at him. 'That's sweet. You won't lose me because of a lie. Not unless you keep shouting at me to fess up, that is.'

'I--'

'I know. You can't help it. I've known for some time now. But I can help you, Harry. I know you've been under a lot of pressure, but I'm here now. Let me help. And I know what you're thinking and I don't mean let me fight Voldemort in your place. Just let me carry some of the weight hanging on your shoulders.'

Harry looked at her for a moment. 'You said Voldemort. I can't even get Ron to say it.'

'Well, I've had practice,' she said rolling her eyes.

Harry looked sad. 'What's wrong, Harry?'

'I just realized something. While you know everything about me, I know nothing about you.'

She rolled her eyes yet again. 'You know plenty. And you could ask.'

Harry lay back on his bed. Anna imitated him. Harry sighed. 'I don't like it when people pry into my personal life. I don't think you like it either. I mean all the questions and looks you've been getting. '

She propped her head on her right hand to look at him. 'Well you're not people. You're Harry.'

He propped his head like she did hers. 'See? I don't get why you say my name like that.'

'Like what?' She honestly didn't know what he meant.

'Very fondly! It's like you actually like me,' he said exasperated.

She frowned. 'Harry, you're my brother and I love you. Why shouldn't I like you? Your friends do.'

'Yes, but they have known me for five years. How long have you known me?'

A wistful smile spread across her face. She sighed. 'I've known about you since my fifth birthday. Dumbledore sent me a letter telling me all about you. Our cousins confirmed all that he told me. I was really confused then. But I've wanted to meet you ever since.'

'Are you all right? Anna, you look sad.'

She dropped the sad face and put on her signature smile for Harry. Somehow, that smile didn't put him at ease. He felt her need to cry. But she wouldn't have it. Harry's been through enough without her adding to his troubles. Harry shook his head and decided to ask her more questions. He asked her about the home she grew up in, and the people who raised her, they were shallow questions, but basic.

She told him about the huge house she lived in. Their cousins were rich, very rich. From the sounds of it, Anna had everything she wanted. This only made Harry feel worse. Why did she want to meet me so badly? Why did she need me? Harry's thoughts were so messed up that Anna couldn't read through them. He was turning out to be a hard read for her.

The people who raised Anna weren't warm people, but they did give her all her heart desired. By her twelfth birthday, she had a cat, two horses, and a suite of her own. Harry thought he should feel better, knowing his sister was taken care of, but it didn't. When he felt he could take no more, he changed the subject.

'What school did you go to?'

'There are many wizarding schools in the U.S. I enrolled in the MoonStone academy. Hogwarts reminds me of it.'

'You miss it, huh?'

She sat up and crossed her legs on the bed. 'Not as much as I expected I would. But, yes, I do.'

Harry mimicked her pose. 'What was it like?'

She cocked her head slightly. 'Not so different from here. Students start at the age of eleven too. We have no houses though. And before you ask, we played Quidditch against other schools.'

Harry laughed. 'I'm starting to like the fact that you know me so much. Less talking, more thinking.'

'Well, I'm glad you like it.'

After talking for ages, they went to the Common Room to finish whatever assignments they had left. Anna and Hermione were done before Harry and Ron, so the girls helped the boys. After they finished, they all went to bed.

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The next week progressed painfully slow. After all, who ever had fun with so much work? Especially on NEWT levels. Hermione was excelling. The others...not so much. Anna was good, too, but not as good as Hermione was. Hagrid invited Harry and the others for lunch one day. He wanted to meet Anna and get to know her. She laughed her head off when he told her about all the antics that his creatures caused.

She especially liked the stories about the Blast-Ended Skrewts, commenting that Dumbledore never wrote about those kinds of things. Anna was even nice enough to try Hagrid's cooking. She didn't neglect to ask about Grawp either. She was getting a reputation of being a nice girl around Hogwarts, except when you cross the line and ask too much. Everyone liked her, though. The Slytherins didn't hate her as much as they did Harry. That was fine by him; as long as Anna was happy, he was happy.

But one day, things got bad for Anna. It was breakfast and Harry wanted to sleep in. So she sat with Luna at the Ravenclaw table. People were starting to stare less and less. But a bunch of Slytherins approached her and she knew it wouldn't be good. Rumors on the reasons she was sent away as a child were coming up. And rumors on why she came back were, too. They were mostly harmless things, but some were really mean. Like her parents didn't want her and now the cousins didn't either. Maybe this nice girl thing was an act and she was really a horrible person.

So the Slytherins asked her about some of the rumors. Luna defended her saying that none of it was true. So they challenged Anna to tell them the truth so they'd stop coming up with lies. But she wouldn't tell them anything. And soon Pansy was fighting with her. Draco wasn't among the group; otherwise he probably would have stopped them. Anna ended up in a fist fight with Pansy: she'd hit Anna and Anna'd hit Pansy. Anna ended up with a cut on her lower lip, but Pansy ended up with a black eye.

The professors finally managed to stop them from fighting and both Anna and Pansy were taken to Dumbledore's office. Pancy went in first and after ten minutes Anna was called in. She was scowling and Dumbledore asked her to sit down. He reprimanded her for fighting, especially at such an early hour.

'It wasn't my fault,' she said passionately.

The portraits were stunned that Anna was talking like that to Dumbledore, but Harry did, too. The headmaster was calm and he seemed to understand what she meant. 'I knew, but you must have known this would happen. Fights and rumors I mean.'

She huffed. 'Well, of course I did! That doesn't mean I want things to be like this. Can't you do something? Make them stop or put a spell on them?'

He cocked his head and frowned. 'What do you suggest I do? What spell?'

She looked at Dumbledore with fury in her eyes. 'A tongue tying spell. It will stop them from asking. You know the ministry would prefer if things stayed hidden.'

He sighed. She was right, of course. He could do that and it wouldn't be dangerous or illegal. He should have known she'd ask for such a thing. It wasn't good for her or the ministry if people asked questions. But Dumbledore never believed in putting spells on his students. And would it really be that bad if everyone found out the truth about Anna? Yes, it would be bad if the ministry didn't deal with the situation first. So, regrettably, Dumbledore had to angry.

'All right. I'll cast the spell. But no fighting!' She nodded and headed for the door. Before she left, she turned back and said sweetly, 'Thanks, professor. Sorry for the way I spoke to you. I know you're doing the best you can for me.'

He nodded and smiled at her. She got the gesture and smiled back and left. The portraits were scandalized. Phineas Nigellus spoke to Dumbledore. 'How could you let her speak to like that? She's a student!'

Dumbledore had a wistful look in his eyes. 'Phineas, she's been through a lot. I couldn't protect her. And her secrets are a matter for the Ministry now. If anyone found out, it would be bad.'

Anna knew her brother was going to be in a fowl mood soon. The first Hagsmeade weekend of the year was right around the corner. And soon, everyone would know that she had a date with Draco Malfoy.