PART FOUR:
-----INSIDE THE DARK CASTLE-----
There was a fire blazing in the dimly lit room. Even the dancing flames could not seem to penetrate the heavy darkness. The silence was soon broken by voices as the door opened slowly.
"My Lord, Anya Haywood was spotted in Diagon Alley with that mudblood, Granger," Lucius Malfoy said with disdain.
A sinister laugh escaped from the mouth of Lord Voldemort, "And that is shocking to you for what reason, Lucius? After receiving her personal invitation from Dumbledore, of course there's enough of Richard Haywood left in her to make her think that she can be one of them."
Voldemort was slowly running a finger along his wand as he continued, "However, there's another force inside of her that is much stronger." His words were accentuated, as a moving picture appeared on the wall of Elaine Diggory, Anya's mother. "You see, Lucius, it is her destiny to come to me. She will become my daughter of darkness."
Lucius nodded, a malevolent grin spreading across his face, "Then the plan is to continue as scheduled?"
"Yes, my dear servant, with the added power we will gain from our next endeavor, Hogwarts will fall, and Harry Potter will be destroyed."
Meanwhile, in the Hogwarts castle, another Malfoy was pondering. Draco sat sullenly in his chamber, trying to determine his reaction to Anya's discovery of his secret. He knew that his anger that was near the surface was beginning to fade, but he also felt something else, something deeper, something he could not yet grasp. However, he was determined to regain his composure completely, unwilling to allow his newest colleague to realize how much she had unnerved him.
He looked in the mirror, readjusting his white blond hair that now covered his head freely instead of being tamed by gel, like it had been during his youth. He smiled, pleased with his reflection. For an instant, Draco Malfoy appeared simply as a handsome young man instead of the wizard whose legacy seemed to be built upon a confident and often cruel personality. His blue eyes momentarily reflected the sadness he held within his heart, before being replaced with a look of confident strength.
"My emotions are my only weakness," he said quietly to himself, "if I am ever to gain the revenge my soul desires, I must remain focused and strong...always strong."
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door followed by the voice of Harry Potter.
"Draco? McGonagall would like for you to come to her office. We're having a meeting with Sirius."
Draco opened the door to see a young man whom he had once hated with every fiber of his being. Instead of seeing him with hatred, Draco now viewed him with trust. The young Malfoy did not claim anyone to be his true friend, yet the bond he felt with Potter was undeniable. Of course, Draco didn't feel that this information was something that needed to be made obvious.
"Whatever, Potter. I'll be there when I can. I'm sure it's nothing more than one or all of us having to save the world...again."
Harry smiled as the door was closed in his face. "Yeah, good ole Malfoy," he said to himself sarcastically, "What would we do without his words of warmth."
After Harry had collected Ron and Hermione, he saw Draco making his way into McGonagall's office. The four former Hogwarts students seated themselves around the room that already contained Sirius and the Headmistress.
"Harry, did you find Anya as well?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Headmistress. She was just finishing putting away some of her things and she said she would be down immediately."
Harry's words were punctuated with an opening door and Anya's entrance. "I'm sorry," Anya said breathlessly. "That took a little longer than I had anticipated."
Minerva McGonagall smiled slightly as Anya found an empty seat beside Hermione. "That's alright, dear. But just keep in mind that there will be times when you are summoned that the matter may be more pressing, and you should respond appropriately."
"Yes ma'am," Anya answered quietly.
"Now," McGonagall began, "I believe we have an introduction to make."
As McGonagall's hands gestured, Anya's eyes followed and noticed the dark looking stranger for the first time. Anya's mind reached out to gather information about the man who was studying her intently. She was quickly met with a wall of powerful emotions from the stranger, and could not gather more information without the man being made aware of her searching.
"This, Anya, is Sirius Black. He is a loyal friend of the school, and godfather to Harry."
Anya's eyes darted to Harry's face, searching for information about this new person. She suspected that Harry knew something of what was about to be said, but his face revealed nothing.
Finally, Sirius Black began to speak, "We asked that you all be present to receive a warning. Voldemort's forces have been moving and there is a general consensus that he has set some sort of plan in motion. Both Minerva and I feel that the school is in danger, particularly the newest staff member.
With these words, Sirius' eyes focused on Anya, his somber expression never relaxing. He continued relaying his message, with his tone growing more and more strained. "Voldemort is most certainly seeking Anya, both for her powers and for her connection to one of his most valued followers."
Anya listened, but felt anger growing inside of her. The man's antagonistic feelings toward her were obvious, and the reference to her mother was almost more than she could bear.
Still, he continued to speak, "So, as a precaution, we've decided that Anya is to have a watcher." Sirius paused wanting to make sure that his double message would be clear to Elaine's daughter, "This watcher will not only guarantee Anya's safety, but the safety of the school as well. Of course, we will ask Harry to fulfill this position since both he and Anya will be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Around the room, mutterings could be heard. Draco seemed to be dissatisfied over the selection of Anya's watcher, Hermione was trying to determine the reason for Sirius's heightened dark mood, and Harry was responding with surprise to what was being asked of him.
However, all was silent as both Sirius and Anya stood, her eyes locked onto his with a venomous glare. "I have no clue who you are, or what it is that I have done to you, but I do NOT need anyone to watch me, not for my protection and certainly not for the protection of the school from me. It is obvious that you neither like me nor do you trust me. Honestly, that is no concern of mine, but do not dare to accuse me of bringing danger to this school when it wasn't by my doing that I came here in the first place."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco looked on, unaccustomed to seeing anyone openly defy Sirius in such a manner. They watched as the grace of the young American witch seemed to transform into dangerous malice.
Sirius, his eyes also ablaze with fury, began to step closer to Anya as he began, "I will do everything in my power to keep this school and Harry safe. Because Dumbledore and McGonagall have placed trust in you, I will accept that you are staying in a position here. However, until the time that comes that you prove your trust, I will assume that you are no different than your..."
Sirius' voice trailed off as he reached Anya, and his eyes focused on her neck.
She said angrily, "That I'm no different than who? My mother? How dare you! What right do you have..."
Anya was interrupted as Sirius' hand began to move toward her neck, his eyes still locked in the same position.
"What are you doing?" she sputtered as she was unsuccessfully attempting to knock his hand away.
Finally, Sirius slowly lifted the silver star necklace Anya wore around her neck. As he began to speak again, his harsh voice has become much softer and emotion-filled. "Where did you get this necklace, Anya?"
"From my father, why?" she replied as she stood stiffly, unsure of how to react.
"When did he give it you, may I ask?"
Anya finally pulled away, but most of her anger had dissipated as she thought of her father. "He gave it to me the day he discovered my mother's betrayal, the day they both died. He said it was for protection."
Sirius turned, his eyes seeming to be focusing on images that were far away. He slowly sat down on the couch, a look of realization covering his face as he said, "He knew. I can't believe that he knew."
Anya looked at him with a confused expression. "What? My father? Is that who you are talking about? What did he know?"
Sirius looked down, "That necklace Anya, it wasn't your father's to give, though I believe in the end it was his right. That necklace belonged to your mother, and it does offer protection. The power behind that protection comes from a strong force. That protection is powered by love."
"How do you know all this?"
Sirius looked up to face Anya, Elaine's daughter, and for the first time he allowed himself to see the physical resemblance between the two. As his dark eyes started to shine with unshed tears, he said, "I know, Anya, because I was the one who gave that necklace to your mother."
-----INSIDE THE DARK CASTLE-----
There was a fire blazing in the dimly lit room. Even the dancing flames could not seem to penetrate the heavy darkness. The silence was soon broken by voices as the door opened slowly.
"My Lord, Anya Haywood was spotted in Diagon Alley with that mudblood, Granger," Lucius Malfoy said with disdain.
A sinister laugh escaped from the mouth of Lord Voldemort, "And that is shocking to you for what reason, Lucius? After receiving her personal invitation from Dumbledore, of course there's enough of Richard Haywood left in her to make her think that she can be one of them."
Voldemort was slowly running a finger along his wand as he continued, "However, there's another force inside of her that is much stronger." His words were accentuated, as a moving picture appeared on the wall of Elaine Diggory, Anya's mother. "You see, Lucius, it is her destiny to come to me. She will become my daughter of darkness."
Lucius nodded, a malevolent grin spreading across his face, "Then the plan is to continue as scheduled?"
"Yes, my dear servant, with the added power we will gain from our next endeavor, Hogwarts will fall, and Harry Potter will be destroyed."
Meanwhile, in the Hogwarts castle, another Malfoy was pondering. Draco sat sullenly in his chamber, trying to determine his reaction to Anya's discovery of his secret. He knew that his anger that was near the surface was beginning to fade, but he also felt something else, something deeper, something he could not yet grasp. However, he was determined to regain his composure completely, unwilling to allow his newest colleague to realize how much she had unnerved him.
He looked in the mirror, readjusting his white blond hair that now covered his head freely instead of being tamed by gel, like it had been during his youth. He smiled, pleased with his reflection. For an instant, Draco Malfoy appeared simply as a handsome young man instead of the wizard whose legacy seemed to be built upon a confident and often cruel personality. His blue eyes momentarily reflected the sadness he held within his heart, before being replaced with a look of confident strength.
"My emotions are my only weakness," he said quietly to himself, "if I am ever to gain the revenge my soul desires, I must remain focused and strong...always strong."
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door followed by the voice of Harry Potter.
"Draco? McGonagall would like for you to come to her office. We're having a meeting with Sirius."
Draco opened the door to see a young man whom he had once hated with every fiber of his being. Instead of seeing him with hatred, Draco now viewed him with trust. The young Malfoy did not claim anyone to be his true friend, yet the bond he felt with Potter was undeniable. Of course, Draco didn't feel that this information was something that needed to be made obvious.
"Whatever, Potter. I'll be there when I can. I'm sure it's nothing more than one or all of us having to save the world...again."
Harry smiled as the door was closed in his face. "Yeah, good ole Malfoy," he said to himself sarcastically, "What would we do without his words of warmth."
After Harry had collected Ron and Hermione, he saw Draco making his way into McGonagall's office. The four former Hogwarts students seated themselves around the room that already contained Sirius and the Headmistress.
"Harry, did you find Anya as well?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Headmistress. She was just finishing putting away some of her things and she said she would be down immediately."
Harry's words were punctuated with an opening door and Anya's entrance. "I'm sorry," Anya said breathlessly. "That took a little longer than I had anticipated."
Minerva McGonagall smiled slightly as Anya found an empty seat beside Hermione. "That's alright, dear. But just keep in mind that there will be times when you are summoned that the matter may be more pressing, and you should respond appropriately."
"Yes ma'am," Anya answered quietly.
"Now," McGonagall began, "I believe we have an introduction to make."
As McGonagall's hands gestured, Anya's eyes followed and noticed the dark looking stranger for the first time. Anya's mind reached out to gather information about the man who was studying her intently. She was quickly met with a wall of powerful emotions from the stranger, and could not gather more information without the man being made aware of her searching.
"This, Anya, is Sirius Black. He is a loyal friend of the school, and godfather to Harry."
Anya's eyes darted to Harry's face, searching for information about this new person. She suspected that Harry knew something of what was about to be said, but his face revealed nothing.
Finally, Sirius Black began to speak, "We asked that you all be present to receive a warning. Voldemort's forces have been moving and there is a general consensus that he has set some sort of plan in motion. Both Minerva and I feel that the school is in danger, particularly the newest staff member.
With these words, Sirius' eyes focused on Anya, his somber expression never relaxing. He continued relaying his message, with his tone growing more and more strained. "Voldemort is most certainly seeking Anya, both for her powers and for her connection to one of his most valued followers."
Anya listened, but felt anger growing inside of her. The man's antagonistic feelings toward her were obvious, and the reference to her mother was almost more than she could bear.
Still, he continued to speak, "So, as a precaution, we've decided that Anya is to have a watcher." Sirius paused wanting to make sure that his double message would be clear to Elaine's daughter, "This watcher will not only guarantee Anya's safety, but the safety of the school as well. Of course, we will ask Harry to fulfill this position since both he and Anya will be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Around the room, mutterings could be heard. Draco seemed to be dissatisfied over the selection of Anya's watcher, Hermione was trying to determine the reason for Sirius's heightened dark mood, and Harry was responding with surprise to what was being asked of him.
However, all was silent as both Sirius and Anya stood, her eyes locked onto his with a venomous glare. "I have no clue who you are, or what it is that I have done to you, but I do NOT need anyone to watch me, not for my protection and certainly not for the protection of the school from me. It is obvious that you neither like me nor do you trust me. Honestly, that is no concern of mine, but do not dare to accuse me of bringing danger to this school when it wasn't by my doing that I came here in the first place."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco looked on, unaccustomed to seeing anyone openly defy Sirius in such a manner. They watched as the grace of the young American witch seemed to transform into dangerous malice.
Sirius, his eyes also ablaze with fury, began to step closer to Anya as he began, "I will do everything in my power to keep this school and Harry safe. Because Dumbledore and McGonagall have placed trust in you, I will accept that you are staying in a position here. However, until the time that comes that you prove your trust, I will assume that you are no different than your..."
Sirius' voice trailed off as he reached Anya, and his eyes focused on her neck.
She said angrily, "That I'm no different than who? My mother? How dare you! What right do you have..."
Anya was interrupted as Sirius' hand began to move toward her neck, his eyes still locked in the same position.
"What are you doing?" she sputtered as she was unsuccessfully attempting to knock his hand away.
Finally, Sirius slowly lifted the silver star necklace Anya wore around her neck. As he began to speak again, his harsh voice has become much softer and emotion-filled. "Where did you get this necklace, Anya?"
"From my father, why?" she replied as she stood stiffly, unsure of how to react.
"When did he give it you, may I ask?"
Anya finally pulled away, but most of her anger had dissipated as she thought of her father. "He gave it to me the day he discovered my mother's betrayal, the day they both died. He said it was for protection."
Sirius turned, his eyes seeming to be focusing on images that were far away. He slowly sat down on the couch, a look of realization covering his face as he said, "He knew. I can't believe that he knew."
Anya looked at him with a confused expression. "What? My father? Is that who you are talking about? What did he know?"
Sirius looked down, "That necklace Anya, it wasn't your father's to give, though I believe in the end it was his right. That necklace belonged to your mother, and it does offer protection. The power behind that protection comes from a strong force. That protection is powered by love."
"How do you know all this?"
Sirius looked up to face Anya, Elaine's daughter, and for the first time he allowed himself to see the physical resemblance between the two. As his dark eyes started to shine with unshed tears, he said, "I know, Anya, because I was the one who gave that necklace to your mother."