Never Alone

Chapter 4

The Date

It was Friday, at lunch time. Anna decided to spend her time with Hagrid at the new Thestral pen. She seemed rather fond of Thestrals. She had gone ridding three times since she started at Hogwarts. Luna accompanied her once, too. Harry liked seeing Anna and Luna together since he knew that Luna has the ability to make people feel better about anything.

Hermione was talking on and on about her Arithmancy assignment. Neither Harry nor Ron understood what she was saying, which was why they both wanted Anna to sit with them. They actually insisted she stay but Anna said that she had promised to meet Hagrid. So the boys were left to endure Hermione's lectures and wasted explanations alone.

At the end of the lunch period, a flush-faced Anna joined the others, completely out of breath. She explained how she and Hagrid were trying to saddle one of the Thestrals. As was expected, the Thestral didn't like the saddle much. As they all walked away, Colin Creevey chirped a cheery hello.

Harry, as always, replied with a bored hullo of his own. Anna, on the other hand, found Colin quite adorable. She described him as a "tiny Peter Parker", which he basically was. The analogy was lost on Harry and the others, leading Anna to say they needed to watch more cartoons. This in turn led Ron to ask what cartoons were.

'Harry, may I take a photograph of you and Anna together?' Colin asked.

Harry looked sideways at his twin and said, 'I'm not sure, Colin.'

'Oh, c'mon. What's the harm, Harry?' said Anna.

He shrugged. 'I reckon it's okay.'

And Anna did something unexpected. She put her arm around Harry's shoulder and had him put his arm around her waist. Harry thought it was odd. His touch had startled Anna the few times he had touched her. And now she was fine with it. A photo shouldn't make touching her okay if she had a thing about personal space. But thinking about it, whenever he touched her, she jumped, but she would peck him on the cheek or forehead with absolute ease.

After the flash, Harry decided to ask Anna later. He only now noticed that all she'd told him about her life was about the places she had been and the people she knew. Nothing was really about her. It made him sad to think his sister didn't trust him. And then it made him mad, thinking about how she wanted him to trust her. What for, if she didn't trust him in return? After all, she knew him better than he knew her.

Anna wanted to talk to Harry, too. It seems that ever since she met him, they'd been arguing a lot. Going on a date with Draco Malfoy wasn't going to stop their arguing. She wanted to tell him, but didn't know how. Harry, tomorrow I'm going to Hogsmeade with Draco, as in a date. Yeah, that'll be painless. She resolved to tell him after dinner. Preferably with Ron, Hermione, and Neville around as witnesses in case Harry decided to kill her.

Anna skipped dinner that night, though. She waited for Harry outside by the black lake. Unfortunately, he asked her to wait for him there. She noted how beautiful the night sky was. The stars were reflecting on the lake's rippled surface. The giant octopus was calm that night. Well, the weather is really soothing tonight.

She sat under a tree, thinking. Dumbledore hadn't told her what the Ministry was planning to do with her. They couldn't just ignore what she did. It was unforgivable, at least in her eyes. Everyone kept saying it was an accident, even Lupin said so. But was it really? Wasn't it exactly what she wanted? She hadn't had a good night's sleep since the incident, not that she'd had any before that. She still had knots in her stomach from the memories. And she'd had a talk with Dumbledore just that morning.

Poor thing, he really felt bad about the spell. She felt guilty about putting him in that situation, but it had to be done. What if she'd slipped and said something she wasn't supposed to? Dumbledore did say the Minister approved, not that he knew anything, the idiot. She felt a great deal of gratitude to Dumbledore for casting the spell, in spite of his own feelings about that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Harry's footsteps. He sat down next to her, intending to talk first. He thought that if he got everything out, he'd be less likely to lose his temper. He opened his mouth to talk, but Anna cut him off.

'I'd like to talk first, if you don't mind.'

He closed his mouth, letting her go on. 'You know tomorrow's the first Hogsmeade weekend. You probably have plans already--'

'No, I don't. I was wondering if you'd like me to show you around. It would give us time to talk in private.'

She sighed. She would have loved to go with him, but she couldn't break her plans with Draco now. 'That's what I wanted to talk to you about. But first, promise you won't go off on me.'

Harry's shoulders dropped. Nothing good ever came after a request like that. None the less, he promised.

'I've got a date.'

Harry chuckled and stood up. 'You thought I'd be upset that you have a date?! It's fine, I've been told you're attractive.' He noticed the look on Anna's face and added, 'Not that I don't think you're beautiful, it's just that I'm your twin--'

'I got that, Harry. Psychic, remember? And that's not what I'm worried about. You don't know who I'm going out with.'

'Oh, c'mon. How bad can he be if he likes you? I mean, it's not like you're going out with Draco-bloody-Malfoy or anything,' he said, rolling his eyes.

When Anna said nothing, Harry's heart dropped. 'You're not, are you? Anna?'

She stood up and started pacing. 'Well, Harry, you have to understand that I'm not doing this to upset you. I...I like Draco.'

'You like him. What the bloody hell for?' Harry's voice was surprisingly low, even as he said that. Anna honestly expected him to scream again. He's been doing that a lot lately.

When Anna said nothing, he prompted, 'Anna, I was actually asking you what you like about Malfoy.'

She looked at him. 'He's nice to me. Sweet, even. Harry, I'd like to get to know him. And yes, I do know you hate him. He hates you, too. But I have nothing to do with your rivalry, now, do I?'

Harry looked dumbstruck. 'You're my sister! Isn't that enough?'

'To make me hate him? No! I can't hate someone who's only been nice to me. You had a bad experience with him, I get that. But so have some people with Luna. You like Luna, don't you? I know kids call her Loony Lovegood. She's different, but not insane.'

'You're actually comparing Luna to Malfoy!'

Anna grabbed Harry's arms. 'Listen to me. What if Draco didn't give you a bad impression at Madam Malkin's, huh? Would you still have hated him right then and there?'

Harry didn't know what to say. His tongue was twisted in a knot. 'I...I don't know. Well, probably.' He pulled away from Anna. 'He gave me many reasons to hate him after that. He insults my friend, tries to show me up, and his father's a Death Eater. What do you expect?' His voice was starting to rise and Anna was flinching.

He turned around to see her looking over the lake. He stood next to her, thinking of ways to deter his twin from going out with Malfoy. 'You know, Harry. I've always had people disapproving my choice in friends. But you know what, I've never been wrong about someone in my life. All I'm asking is that you and Ron don't kill Draco unless he actually tries to hurt me. Is that too much to ask?'

Harry rubbed his temples, a headache was already settling in. 'No, it's not. Neither Ron nor I will kill Malfoy. Happy now?'

Anna replied by throwing her arms around Harry's neck. He hugged her back, feeling that same click he felt the first time they hugged. He stood there for a while, wrapping his arms around Anna. For some reason, he feared that letting go of her would make her disappear, stop existing.

Anna sensed his fear, but did nothing to ease it. She knew that any discussion about her feelings or Harry's would make her cry. She had so much pent up emotions that rivaled even Harry's.

'You're letting me hug you.'

She pulled away to frowned at him. 'What are you talking about?'

'You just seem to jump at my touch.'

She let go of him, smiling. 'Ah, the thing is, I've always had a thing for personal space. I don't like people touching me suddenly. I'd rather it happen gradually. Like now.'

She hugged him again. He didn't mind. He liked having her close. He still had a nagging feeling at the pit of his stomach that she needed him with her years ago. He didn't dare voice out his feeling for fear he might upset her. Later they walked to Gryffindor Tower together. They had to help Neville get in. He'd forgotten the password. In all fairness to Neville, it was Chizpurfle.

Harry explained to Ron that they were not to harm Draco when he takes Anna out. Ron went ballistic until Hermione said that they might not like Anna dating Draco, but it was still Anna's choice. Hermione didn't seem as upset as Harry expected. She even helped Anna decide what to wear on the date, landing on a deep-green top with black jeans. Ron figured that the girly gene overrode the sensible gene in Hermione.

xxxxxxxxx

The next day, Anna had a quick breakfast with Harry and the others before getting dressed for her date. It was Anna's first date ever, but she wasn't about to tell anyone. Draco sent her a message with a young Slytherin, figuring that after last year's Inquisitorial Squad thing, the Gryffindors would have his head for approaching their table. Draco wanted to let Anna know that he would wait for her by the marble staircase.

She got dressed and went down to meet him. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. She thought she had no reason to be nervous, but then she remembered that she had no idea what she was doing. Draco was her brother's enemy, but she trusted him. She reckoned that if Dumbledore trusted Draco, then she should trust him, too.

Draco was waiting anxiously for his date. He'd never admit it, but this was the first time he had a date. He had the occasional cousin accompany him to a few of his parent's balls, but that was it. Never a stomach-flipping, heart-fluttering date. He heard his name being called from atop the stairs. When he looked up, he gasped.

Anna noticed and ascended to him. 'What? I can't look that good.'

Draco looked her over and said, 'You look utterly ravishing.'

She blushed and bit on her lower lip. Draco gave her his arm to link to and she took it. They headed down the front steps of Hogwarts and walked to Hogsmeade. Draco talked about the weather and classes and his friends. Anna didn't really have much to say. She was simply enjoying Draco's refined tongue. As they arrived at Hogsmeade, Draco halted without saying why.

'Draco, is everything all right?'

He was looking at her. 'Yes, I was just wondering why you haven't been talking. Are you all right?'

She shrugged. 'I was just listening to you. I don't usually get to listen to a nobleman talk. After all, you are a Malfoy.'

He looked as smug as always. 'Yes, yes I am.' They went back to walking. 'I was thinking we could go to Madam Puddifoot's.'

Anna laughed softly. 'That's the tea shop, right?'

'Yes, what's so funny?'

'Oh, Harry had a bad experience there last year.'

Draco looked interested. 'Yes?'

'Oh no, I'm not telling you. You'll just use it against him.'

He nodded. 'Generally I would. What If I promise not to?'

She thought about it for a second. 'Promise?'

He raised his right arm and said, 'I swear.'

She told him the story and, as expected, he laughed his head off. He was nice enough to say that Cho was insane and Harry did what he had to. That surprised Anna because she didn't expect Draco to empathise with Harry. So after the rotund Madam Puddifoot sat them down next to a window, she had to ask.

'So, Draco, have you had many bad dates?'

Draco looked at her over his menu. 'A few. Why do you ask?'

She looked at her own menu. 'I'm getting to know you. Plus, there is no way you'd side with Harry on anything unless you understand completely.'

'That's very perceptive of you. What did I expect? I once took my second cousin to a ball at my aunt's mansion. Not a pretty girl, but not bad looking either. She ended up ignoring me all night and she had the audacity to humiliate me in front of everyone when she saw me dancing with another girl.'

'Didn't she realize that you two are cousins?'

'Girls; you're all confusing.'

Madam Puddifoot took their order and returned shortly with two cups of sweetened tea. Draco sipped his tea and said, 'If Pansy ever found out I'm on a date with you, which I assure you she will, she'll have my head.'

Anna put her cup down. 'Why, are you dating her?'

Draco choked on the tea. 'Heavens, no! Me, date her? She's always had a thing for me. And since we're both purebloods she expects us to get married.'

Anna snickered at Draco's reaction. 'Haven't you ever dated a girl at Hogwarts?'

'No, I've never been interested in any girl there, until you that is.'

'Cute. You get points for that.'

They drank their tea and talked some more. Draco telling her about the parties his parents would have. He wasn't allowed to attend any until he started Hogwarts. He told her about his nanny and the games she played with him during the balls. Eventually, Anna started to tell him about her life.

'Well, I certainly wasn't raised as extravagantly as you were, but I had my share of luxury. So, I can't complain.'

'Living with Muggles must have been horrible.'

She had a wistful look on her face. 'Muggles aren't all bad, Draco. Honestly.'

He raised his eyebrows and drawled, 'You can't convince me of that, so spare us both.'

After they had their tea, Draco suggested he take Anna to Honeydukes and then to the Three Broomsticks. He explained to her that Hogsmeade was much livelier before The Dark Lord's return. It sent a shiver down her spine to hear Draco refer to Voldemort as The Dark Lord. He felt her shiver and offered to give her his jacket. She told him she was fine and that it was just the wind.

After splurging at Honydukes, they went to The Three Broomsticks and found another private table in the corner. Draco pulled out the chair for Anna, and then sat himself down across from her. He ordered a couple of drinks and they waited until after Madam Rosmerta served them to talk.

Anna knew a lot about Draco before even meeting him, but she still wanted to really get to know him. She wanted to know why Dumbledore trusted him so much. So she kept the conversation directed at him.

'So, tell me about your life. No one can hear us over the noise so you can relax.'

He leaned back in his chair and said, 'Why bother? You can probably read my mind anyway.'

She cocked her head. 'True, but sometime it's nice to listen to people talk. Reading people's thoughts is so much like...Rape.'

Draco was startled at the use of such a severe word. He leaned over the table to get closer to Anna. 'You really think it compares to rape?'

She shrugged. 'Yes, I do. They both have the same basic principle. Taking something that isn't yours by force.'

He scowled. 'Well, thoughts are voiced out, but rape... Sex isn't always given.'

'Thoughts aren't always voiced,' she countered.

He raised his hands in defeat. 'Fine. I suppose not everything one thinks they say out loud. I think there's something specific you want to know about me. So, let's stop beating around the bush, shall we?'

She smiled at his openness. 'Okay then. I want to know why Dumbledore trusts you. And I'm sure Professor Snape told you about it if you didn't conclude it yourself.'

He shrugged. 'So you're planning to, er, grill me, is it?' She nodded. 'I'm sure you're not surprised that I'm willing to accommodate. I honestly don't know why that old oaf trusts me. I wouldn't.'

'Why not?'

He appeared thoughtful for a minute. 'Would you? Son of a Death Eater and born and raised to serve The Dark Lord?'

She leaned in and touched his hand, which was on the table. 'I chose to go on a date with you, didn't I?'

Draco was taken aback by Anna's admission that she trusted him. He scrutinized her for some time then said, 'Well you're a fool, just like your twin.'

Anna raised her eyebrows. 'You think so? I prefer to say that I trust Dumbledore's judgment. If he trusts you, then I do, too. Tell me this, Draco: Do you really believe that serving Voldemort is your life's calling? Do you believe he should gain the power he longs for?'

Draco cringed at the sound of his lord's name and he withdrew his hand from Anna's grasp. He knew the conversation would lead them there, he just didn't know how to respond. His throat was dry and he was suddenly aware of the people around them.

'I don't think this place is private enough for this.'

Anna thought for a minute, then said, 'I know where we can find all the privacy we need.'

xxxxxxxxx

Approximately thirty minutes later, Anna and Draco were back at Hogwarts on the seventh floor. Draco knew Anna was taking him to the room where Harry and his friends had their Dumbledore's Army meetings last year. Anna took his hand and they walked paste the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy three times. Draco thought it was ridiculous. After the third pass, a door appeared on the wall opposite the tapestry.

Draco's brows furrowed and Anna led him in. The room was cozy with many beanbag chairs and big windows. The floor was soft and comfy too. Anna settled in one of the beanbag chairs and waited for Draco to sit down, too.

'So, you were saying?'

Draco took a deep breath and said, 'Can't you just read my mind? I'm giving you permission, so it's not rape.'

'No, I guess not. But your thoughts are so jumbled, I can't read them. So you tell me. Do you really want to follow in your father's footsteps and serve He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?'

Draco inclined his head in thanks for her not saying "Voldemort" again. 'Aren't you following in your parents' footsteps?'

'Touché. But, no, I'm not. I just don't think a man earns the right to rule by harming people. So I'm against him.'

'Do you know how it feels to be born into this, Anna?' Draco whispered.

She looked at him; he was looking at the floor, clearly thinking. 'No, my parents made sure I wouldn't be in the middle of all this. But trust me, I would do anything to go back and change that. I'd go through everything with Harry if I could.'

He looked at her then. 'Really? Why? You had a good life, as far as I know.'

'Then that's as far as you know. You didn't have a good life either. I can sense it. But why? What happened to you?'

Draco's breath hitched. 'I... I just didn't have a warm family, that's all. My father didn't really want me. My mother went off her contraceptive potion behind his back.'

Draco didn't know why he was telling her that, but he figured she would know anyway, with his permissions and all. He never heard of a psychic blocking her powers before. 'By the time he found out, it was too late to do anything about it.'

Anna put a light hand on Draco's shoulder. 'I'm sorry. I know what it's like, not being wanted.'

He scoffed. 'Your parents sent you away to keep you safe. Not because they didn't want you.'

'I didn't mean them.'

He stared at her again. 'Who did you mean?'

She shook her head. 'No, that's a conversation for another time.'