A single footstep resounded in the dense and silent forest. She awoke at the sound, and pulled her legs to her chest, searching the area from her perch in the tree. The rope around her waist kept her stable, but she sacrificed the safety as she slowly untied herself. A flash of light hair at the base of her tree stopped her breathing. Slowly, she pulled her knives out from her boot.
"Now, now," A voice boomed amongst the trees. She froze. "Before you go throwing your knives at me, Anya, please do come down and talk for just a moment. If you still want to kill me afterwards, I am all yours."
Anya stayed frozen in the air. How did he know her name?
"I am not a Death Eater, child. I was an ally of your parents." He boomed once more. "Parents, that if I am not mistaken, were murdered by the Dark Lord only a few weeks ago."
Anya didn't move, but put away one of her knives.
"My name is Albus, Albus Dumbledore. I met you when you were very little, Anya. I came to the Council Meeting, when they elected your father as the Chief."
Anya remembered the man, the man with the flowing beard and strange robes. She scampered down the giant tree to where she was only a few feet above him. Dumbledore smiled warmly.
"You have gotten yourself into trouble lately, haven't you?" He murmured, assessing her.
She looked absolutely animalistic in that moment. Grief and anger had changed her into a vengeful dark creature. Her eyes were glowing maroon in the night, her cheekbones were razorblades due to her lack of eating. She was all muscle, but looked strangely malnourished as well. She wore all black, only the tan skin of her neck and hands showed. Her dark brown hair was messy and matted with blood and dirt and tears. Her mouth showed no remorse or remembrance as she barred her teeth to show sharp fangs. She hissed at him.
"Come, Anya, my child." He began, holding out a wrinkled hand. "You are not well. You have killed many, and this revenge mission has made you into an animal. I promised your parents I would take care of you when they passed."
Anya didn't move, but let out a warning feral growl. Dumbledore sighed, dropping his hand.
"I didn't want to do this, he shook his head, turning around and drawing his wand. He turned around, muttered, and she promptly fell to the grown, unconscious, two knives still in her hands.