Anna was waiting at the dining room table when her grandparents finally came home. Frustrated and worried about what the news was, she was very snippy with them as they inquired how her day and shopping trip went, as well as, telling her about their own days.
"Did you find an appropriate dress?" her grandmother asked, "this is a very important ball and it is traditional ball costume. Please tell me you have the correct style!"
"Grandmother, you are no longer in society, please stop being so shallow. Yes, I left it in your room to inspect and adjust as you see fit. Are you really not going to tell me who will be hosting the ball we are attending?"
"All in good time. It will be a pleasant surprise for you and a test to see if all of our hard work has paid off."
"I know my work has, she was amazing in the field last week!" declared her Grandfather, defusing some of her Grandmothers overbearing enthusiasm, "she did better than some of the members with a decade more of experience and saved Johnson's ass."
"William! Don't use such language, it is vulgar and uncouth. And all of that is very good, but we both know she struggles with the social part of her position," admonished her Grandmother.
Anna's grandparents headed an organization of likeminded and skilled individuals who sought to protect wizarding society from unsavory elements and outside interference. This included a resistance effort against Voldemort, though no one would have ever known or guessed their involvement. They did well to distance themselves, in the public eye, from the whole conflict so they would be in the best strategic position to run the operations.
Anna grew-up around most of the original members, who first congregated during the days of Grindelwald's destruction, and began participating in the group's activities when she was fourteen (though her Grandmother thought she began just this past summer). With her initiation into the resistance, she began to learn about what her Grandparents really did and was groomed to take over if it was needed. She was a quick learner, naturally athletic and could play the society games passably, though it was not her favorite aspect of the arrangement.
"Thank you Granddaddy, and Grandmother, I will be fine. Please stop stressing and just trust me. I know what my mission is, what our mission is, and I will not fail. May we just talk about the family thing you mentioned in your letter?" begged Anna.
"Of course, but only briefly. It will be furthered discussed at the meeting tonight. Your parents are currently missing. There has been no sign of them for the past week and no one can get a hold of them by phone. We are not sure what has happened, but assume the worst." Anna listened to her Grandmother's words, processed them, but showed no reaction.
"Are we going to try to find them? Who all knows about this?" she asked.
"Yes, of course we are, but it will be further discussed at tonight's meeting. No one knows except the three of us for now, but the original members will be notified tonight. We will tell the others if it is needed, but I would like to hand this as privately as possible."
"And Francis? Are we telling her or Aunt Eustace?"
"No, they do not need to be worried. It would not help the situation if your sister or aunt were to know," declared her Grandmother.
Anna sat still for a few moments thinking things through and trying to figure out who would want to take or kill her parents. After Voldemort disappeared the first time, they renounced the magical world and assimilated into the muggle lifestyle. They were horrified by the atrocities that had occurred and did not want to be a part of such events, nor did they want to raise their children in such an environment. People did not know if or when Voldemort, or someone as bad/worse, would rise and all the horrors would begin anew. Anna and her sister were only allowed to return to the magical world after extensive pleading by family members and due to the dangers of not teaching children how to control their magic. Her parents settled into the muggle world without issue and had lived there quite happily for 15 years. Few people knew where they were and fewer knew they avoided magic, so their disappearance did not bode well for their livelihood.
"The meeting is in an hour at the usual spot. Don't be late."
"Yes ma'am."
Dinner was eaten in silence, barring the occasional comment on the food or request for some dish. As soon as she was able to, Anna left the table and sought refuge in her room.