Anna roamed the halls of the school the next day during her free period. She didn't meet many wondering students because most were in their classes or their common rooms. She was walking around the dungeons when she heard someone very familiar call her name.

"Malfoy," Potter called from up a nearby set of stone steps, "Malfoy you forgot this!" Anna turned around gracefully and raised her eyebrow at him. He caught his breath for it seemed he had run to catch up with her, and extended his hand. He handed her a letter that had neat cursive writing on the front. The name, Analiese. She nodded thanks to him but instead of leaving he tilted his head, "Is that your full name?"

Anna nodded, "Yes, Analiese Narcissa Malfoy"

Potter smiled and nodded, "It's beautiful." Anna smiled briefly and nodded again.

"Anna," she heard Kyle growl from down the hall. She flinched and looked over at him, "what are you doing with him?"

Anna didn't respond so Potter did, "I was giving her a letter. But I don't think that it's your business."

Kyle glared at Potter as he turned to walk away. Kyle walked over and grabbed Anna roughly by the arm causing her to gasp and Potter to turn. "Zabini!" He called to him, briefly glancing at his tight hold on the Malfoy heiress, "Watch yourself. She bites!"

Kyle sneered at the Head Boy and yanked his fiancé down the hall and into the Slytherin common room. Once there he wasted no time in pushing her into his dorms and scowling at her.

"Just what are you doing talking to him?" He said calmly and darkly.

Anna looked at him artlessly, "He was giving me my letter. Just as he told you."

Kyle growled as he seized her bruised wrist, earning a hateful glare from his betrothed, "You aren't to speak with him. Do you understand?"

"He is the Head Boy," Anna snarled in return, "I have no choice."

Anna's eyes widened as a high-pitched crack echoed through the room. Her eyes welled up with tears as her hand clutched her now swollen cheek. Kyle glared at Anna as the tears streamed down her face. His malice was transferred toward the door as it swung open and Crabb and Goyle entered, laughing and joking like normal.

They froze suddenly with wide and confused eyes as their tiny brains registered what had occurred in the room. They saw an overly angry Zabini standing over a crying Malfoy sporting a bruised handprint on her face. Their eyes glazed over as they stared at the swollen mark on their only friend's cheek.

Crabb looked between Kyle and Anna and frowned, "Zabini," he grunted angrily, "what happened here?"

Kyle looked at the boys and smirked at his own cunning, "It was the Potter boy, Gents." Anna looked, shocked, at her boyfriends words, "Do you see what that Gryffindor punk did to her?" They didn't seem convinced, the smug look on Kyle's face screamed 'guilty' but he continued, "I think something should be done about that kid!"

Goyle looked over at the rage that was burning behind Malfoy's eyes, "Malfoy," he made his deep voice as soft as he could and it rang in her ears, triggering a new wave of tears, "is this true?"

Anna's eyes flickered over to Kyle. He was watching her closely and his fists were clenched, ready to strike. James was completely innocent! All of her instincts told her to save her own hide and forget about Potter, so she looked at Crabb and Goyle, "Yes," she managed to whisper, "but wait until after dinner to approach him. There won't be any professors then." She left soon after, contemplating what she had done on her way to Ancient Ruins.

During the lecture, she muttered a simple charm under her breath lifting a small piece of parchment into the air. When the old hag of a professor tuned her back to the class, Anna maneuvered the tiny note to a Gryffindor who hadn't expected such a move.

Potter, Crabb and Goyle are going to try and find you after dinner. Kyle sent them. He wasn't happy with the behavior of this morning.

Are you ok?

WHAT?! I'm warning you to save your skin! Is that ok with you?

That's not what I mean. I wanted to know if you were ok!

I'm fine, Potter. Just remember what I said.

Are you sure-

"Potter, Malfoy!" Anna and James jerked to attention as the Professor stared them down, "See me after class please." Anna rolled her eyes arrogantly and James looked down at the small note. He examined the small neat writing of the Malfoy girl and then his own large and sloppy writing. He looked at his rough Beater's hands before glancing at Anna's tiny smooth Seeker ones. He sighed at propped his head up before zoneing out the rest of the class.

Class was dismissed after a double period and the Heads remained in their place. The elderly woman signaled for them to approach and they obeyed.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Malfoy," The woman removed her reading glasses with a shaky hand and stared them down, "I have something for the pair of you. I'm taking extended leave next week from the school. Family business you see. Since this is my only class, I had hoped for the pair of you to take over until McGonagall can acquire a new instructor." She sighed and rubbed her temples, "I need the pair of you to organize productive lessons for the class. It's small and quiet. I know you have other responsibilities as well. You have a ball to prepare, patrolling duties, and other groundwork. That's why I'm asking in advance. But I'm sure you can manage, will you be up to it?"

James nodded right away as Anna nibbled her bottom lip uncertainly. Her sharp mind sifted through the consequences of her violating Kyle's new decree. She also thought about the benefits. Her opportunity at the final bit of rebellion she could muster. She looked at the old woman and nodded.

They were dismissed and when out of earshot of the class Anna grabbed the Gryffindor's hand, "Potter," James turned to the Slytherin and waited for her to continue, "I wasn't kidding. Crabb and Goyle, they're after you. Kyle doesn't want me near you. He told them that you did something… bad to me."

James smiled and patted her arm, "I'll be ok, Malfoy, but are you?" His eyes flashed to her exposed wrist and Anna's eyes hardened.

She wrenched her arm out of his grasp and spat, "Don't act like you care, you Gryffindor Golden boy! You don't even know me!"

James smirked at her, "I know you're an illegal animagus!"

Anna, who had begun to walk away, froze and her hand flew to her mouth in a silent gasp, "How," she whispered turning toward him, "no one knows!"

"Now if I told you that," James purred, "It wouldn't be blackmail, now would it?"

Anna shook her head and chuckled, "You should've been in Slytherin, Potter. You really know how to play a girl."

James smirked and Anna smirked back, "So," he began, "lets try again. What happened to your wrist?"

Anna sighed, beaten, "Kyle decided I was out of line. It was only a matter of time anyway. We're due to be wed soon and-"

"Wait, wed?" James's eyes were wide and his eyebrows were raised, "You're engaged?"

"Since fifth year," Anna said dismissively, "anyway, I have to go. If Kyle catches me here talking to you, well… I don't wanna find out what the consequences may be."

"Be in the common room tonight," James called down the hall, "we have classes to plan!" Anna didn't respond but she rounded a corner and wasn't seen again until dinner.

Anna floated into the Great Hall and landed in her usual seat between Kyle and Crabb. The Great Hall was almost full and Anna was hardly noticed when she entered. Kyle reached over and laced fingers with the Slytherin Queen and whispered in her ear, "Where have you been all day, baby?"

"I was having menstrual problems." Anna replied simply, "How was your day?"

Kyle shrugged his shoulders, "Fine I guess. I missed you." Anna smiled and a Kyle looked down at his food Anna stole a glance at the Gryffindor table. Her eyes connected with Potter's and she turned away, feeling guilty once again.

"Kyle," Anna whined suddenly, tugging on her boyfriend's shoulder, "I want to go back to my room. Come with me?"

Kyle shook his head, "No, Anna, I have too much work." Anna nodded her head and stood up to leave. She grabbed a plate and walked to her dorm. She ate her meal in silence next to Coal and waited until she knew dinner was going to be finished.

She made her transformation and ran down to the entrance hall, her tail held high in the air. She rounded a corner to see Crab and Goyle waiting patiently for Potter. Anna crouched down low and kept her eyes open for the raven haired Gryffindor. When he finally opened the door, he had a large group of other boys with him. They all readied for the brawl and it began with Crabb taking the first swing.

Through a flurry of punches and kicks and curses and hexes, the battle ended up an unspoken draw. The huffing Slytherin boys retreated to the dungeons while the Gryffindor group, all except James, took off toward their tower. He slid down the wall and leaned his head against it, obviously out of breath.

Anna decided to make her presents know to him and rubbed up against his leg. She meowed softly to get his attention and he smiled at her, "Well hey there, Malfoy," she sat next to him and purred, "what brings you to a lowly place like this?" Anna pawed at his pants and he stood. They walked back to the dorms together and Anna changed into her human self.

When they got settled on the couch she sighed, "You Gryffindor boys are far too rash."

James chuckled and laid his head on one of the pillows, "That may or my not be true," Anna smirked as she was starting to hear herself utter these same words, "but we could still take the Slytherins down in an instant."

Anna glared over at him, "Why did you stick around for the fight, Potter?"

James sat up and looked her in the eye, she looked beautiful on the Slytherin couch the fire burning next to her casting a radiant glow around her blond head, "I fought for my pride, my innocence, and… for you."

Anna tilted her head, "What do you mean, 'fought for me'?"

James looked at his hands and spoke softly, "Even a bratty, arrogant, stuck up, smart-aleck, Pureblood Malfoy doesn't deserve to be beaten by their boyfriend."

Anna looked down and felt her nose burn and her eyes tingle, a tell tale sign she was going to cry, "Potter," she whispered, her voice cracking, "you don't understand what you're getting yourself into. Tradition calls for-"

"Where does 'tradition' call for an abusive relationship?" James looked at the top of her head. She began to rise and walk away, "Anna?" he called to her. She didn't turn around and closed the door behind her. Sighing he followed her example and went to his dorms, only to dream of a Malfoy and her fiancé.

The next morning Anna left much earlier than normal. She didn't bother with make up. She only showered and left the room, still slipping on her robe as the door clicked behind her. James heard the door close behind her and sighed. He had really blown it the night before and he was kicking himself for even trying.

He took a slow shower and took a long time dressing. He ran a hand through his long ebony hair, looking for a windswept effect, and walked out of the dorms. He trotted down the steps and toward his Defense Against the Dark Arts class when a sharp intake of breath alarmed him. He ducked behind a suit of armor and peaked around its arm to see what was going on.

Kyle Zabini had Anna tightly by her arm. She had a look of pain on her face but she wasn't crying. Zabini hissed something in her ear but James couldn't hear from the distance he was at. Anna tried to yank her arm out of Zabini's grasp but, having skipped so many meals that week, she wasn't strong enough. Zabini growled and slapped her hard across her cheek. Flinging her down to the ground, he kicked her hard in her abdomen.

Anna lie on the cold floor clutching her stomach as Zabini turned and walked up the stairs. James stealthily rounded the armor and followed him up the flight of steps. Once at the top James called to the Slytherin King.

"Oi, Zabini!" The boy stopped and turned around, giving James an icy glare, "What have I told you about messing with Malfoy?"

"Well technically," Kyle said in an oily voice, "You didn't tell me anything."

James glared at the Slytherin, "I don't like your tone, Zabini, twenty points from Slytherin."

"For what," Kyle asked, narrowing his eyes at the Gryffindor Lion, "stating the facts?"

"No," James growled, "for beating the Head Girl." He took out his wand and gripped it tightly, "Leave her alone."

Zabini smirked and took out his wand as well, twirling it in his fingers, "Well, well, well," He taunted evilly, "is it just me, or is the ickle Gryffindor worried about the Slytherin Princess?" He took a step forward and his eyes hardened, "Well guess what, it isn't stopping, and when she's all mine, no one will be able to save the Malfoy heiress. Don't you know? Just because you have a thing for her, doesn't mean she does for you. You're beneath her, and me." He grasped his wand firmly and pointed it at James, "So stay out of this!"

James growled before firing a shot at Kyle. The Slytherin defected it and sent a fireball toward the Gryffindor. After dousing it with water James froze the ground on which Kyle stood. He slid and landed on his back with a loud thud.

Kyle stood slowly and his eyes froze over. He lifted his wand and took a deep breath, mustering all of the hate he felt for the Gryffindor and-

"Kyle Zabini?" Kyle flinched and turned, there before him was a tiny Ravenclaw first year. She was rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet and fingering her smooth brunette ringlets. She looked up at him with deep chocolate eyes and began to quake at the rage etched into the Prefect's face, "Um… Head Mistress McGonagall would like a word with you, sir."

Kyle nodded and turned back to James, "We're not finished, Potter." James shook his head and smiled at the tiny girl. She, in turn, blushed and scampered away. James stalked around the castle for the remainder of the class and lugged his feet to his next class, showing up twenty minutes late.

He walked into Ancient Ruins class to see Malfoy with her back turned to the class writing on the bored. With out turning to face him, he heard her silvery voice ring out across the classroom, "Nice of you to join us, Potter." She set the white chalk down to turn and face him, her textbook in her hand, "Please, tell us, why are you late?"

He turned away from her and looked at the ground, "None of your business, Malfoy,"

"Oh but it is," she drawled, "Its your responsibility to teach this class just as it is mine!" She slammed her book down and walked toward him, putting her face close to his, "Now, I'll ask you again. Why, Potter, are you late?"

James growled and looked her in the eye. Her piercing eyes cut into his own and he hissed his answer, "I over slept."

Anna shook her head, obviously not satisfied, but she let him proceed to his seat. She continued the lesson as if he had never entered the room.

By the end of class James was fed up with his classmate. He detested the look of pure pleasure that Anna had on her face when she had the opportunity to dock points from fellow students. He huffed every now and again when she corrected a fellow classmate and scoffed when she looked his way.

At the bell he was on his feet before it finished ringing and was gone. As student after student filed out of the class, Anna began wiping the board clean with her wand and gathering her things. She sighed and when she was certain she was alone, she lifted her shirt. She had an ugly bruise and the shape of a boot and she flinched when she ran her hand over it. She pointed her wand at herself and her long thin fingers held tight to the slender piece of wood. Taking a deep breath she whispered an old incantation. Her bruise shrunk and healed. She smiled as she felt the constant pain ebb.

So far this year was not going as well as she planned.

Ok ok. So I know this chapter was uber short and I took like eight months writing it. But I promise it will get better!!! This was a transition chapter. I swear!!! Please be kind!!!