Henry made sure that he left the house just after noon the next day. He told his Mother that he was going shopping for his new school books and robes. Surprisingly she allowed him to go by himself. She said she'd be able to contact him threw his tattoo if she needed too.
The Leaky Caldron was busy when he arrived. He made his way upstairs to the room he had rented for Ana and knocked softly on the door. When she didn't answer he began to worry. What if her Father had found her during the night? He knocked again forcefully, still no answer. He looked down the hall and pulled out his wand.
"Ana, I'm coming in," he said to the door so he didn't feel so guilty breaking in unannounced. He unlocked the door with his wand and entered. The room was empty, the bed had been slept in, and her trunk was open at the foot of it.
"Ahhhh!" screamed her voice. He turned and saw her leaning against the wall in a bath towel. He turned back around.
"Oh, Ana," he said turning red. "I'm sorry. I knocked and you didn't answer…I was worried."
He felt her wet hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright. You just startled me," she said.
He turned to her smiling face. Her hair was dripping on her bare shoulders and her skin was covered in water droplets. She was shorter then him, by about a head; he couldn't help but look her up and down and smile. She was very attractive.
"If you keep looking at me like that Henry I'll melt."
"Melt?" he questioned surprised.
"Yes," she said biting her bottom lip. "Your eyes are very captivating. They make me melt."
"Is that a good thing?" he whispered pushing her wet hair off her cheek. She rested her cheek against his hand and closed her eyes.
"It's not a bad thing," she said when she opened her eyes.
Henry had the sudden urge to kiss her; her lips were full, red and tempting.
She smiled and moved away slowly. Henry reached out and pulled her back. She smiled up at him playfully. She was happy he had pulled her back, she wanted him to pull her back…she wanted him to kiss her; and he did.
Ana was surprised that he did kiss her; he seemed like such a safe guy, not a risk taker. She was very happy as he made his way down to her neck and shoulders. She didn't care if she hadn't known him that long, she trusted him; she had the sudden desire to just be with him, to know him, perhaps even love him. She had the sudden desire for him to be with her, to know her, protect her and even love her. Ana wanted this so bad she didn't stop him when he undid her towel and let it fall to the floor.
"Henry," she whispered to him as they lay next to each other in the bed. He looked at her as he brushed her hair out of her face. He smiled and kissed her forehead. "We barely know each other."
"I like to think we know each other better now," he said back teasing her. She smiled and kissed him.
"I like that point of view too."
"Any regrets?"
"No," she said. "I started thinking I wouldn't have any and I don't."
"Did you expect to?"
"For a few moments yes," she whispered. "But I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful relationship." She sat up and straddled him. She traced his phoenix tattoo that was on his chest with her fingers. Its wings were spread wide and it was swallowing a serpent. "Our tattoos match."
"Really?"
"Yes," she whispered turning around and pulling her hair aside. Henry touched her tattoo as she had his and smiled. He kissed her shoulder blades and turned her around.
"It's a sign Ana," he said with a smile.
"What kind of a sign?"
"A sign that we were suppose to be together," he said bringing her down and kissing her passionately. She kissed him slowly in return, rubbing her body against his smoothly.
"We should get going," he said rubbing her thighs. "I have to buy some school books and supplies."
"Should we leave my stuff here?"
"Yea," he said.
"Alright," said Ana. "I'll go get dressed." She got up off of him and picked up some clothes from her trunk. She disappeared into the bathroom, giving him once last smile before she closed the door.
Henry lay in the bed for a few moments thinking of what had just happened. He sat up and stretched then dressed quickly. He smiled brightly when Ana came out of the bathroom dressed in a white sundress with cherries on it. He grabbed her as she walked by and pulled her body against his.
"You're beautiful," he whispered and kissed her deeply. She giggled and pulled out of his arms. He liked the sound of her giggle, of her laugh, it made him smile.
"Thank you," she said pulling on her jean jacket.
"Shall we?"
"Sure," she said going to the door as he opened it for her.
The streets were crowded. Ana held onto Henry's arm as they walked around the alley buying his school supplies and robes. He kept the conversation going by asking her all sorts of questions.
"Where are you going to school?"
"I want to go to Hogwarts," she said. "But my Father has had me going to the Academy. I imagine if all goes well I should be going to Hogwarts this year. Right?"
"Yes I think so," said Henry. He realized he didn't know how old she was. He asked her.
"I'm going to be seventeen, next January," she said. "I have a late birthday but I'm a seventh year this year."
Henry nodded.
"I just turned seventeen about three weeks ago."
Ana nodded.
"Oh no," she hissed.
"What?" Henry asked quickly, the smile wiped off his face.
"That's my Grandfather," she whispered. "I have to hide." She looked around in a panic not sure where to go or what to do. Henry grabbed her hand and weaved their way threw the crowd to a shop. Ana looked around, it was a joke shop, the joke shop her Grandmother had refused to go into.
"Henry!" called a voice.
"Uncle Fred," said Henry in a rush. "Please, can we go to your back store room? It's an emergency."
A red haired man looked from Henry to Ana and back to Henry.
"Henry the back store room is not a place-"
"Uncle Fred honestly," he said. "We're hiding."
"From who?"
"Malfoy," hissed Henry.
Henry's uncle's face turned serious and he nodded his head. Henry pushed his way threw the crowd leading Ana to the back store room. Ana finally released a breath once they were behind the curtains and some large crates. She leaned against the wall and sat down.
"That was close," she said a little out of breath.
"Are you okay?" he asked leaning over her. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Yes," she said softly. "Thanks to you."
Henry looked back up at the curtain.
"Do you think he was here looking for you?"
"Probably."
"I want you to stay here," said Henry. "I'm going to go back to the Leaky Caldron to get your stuff."
"But-"
"I'll tell my Uncles that you're still back here," he said quickly. "Don't worry. They'll protect you. And they have some pretty cool stuff in here that could hide you if need be."
Ana was silent and nodded her head. She leaned against the wall as he disappeared from sight.
When Henry got back from the Leaky Caldron with Ana's stuff he looked at his watch and cringed. He was late; his mother wanted him back at five o'clock for supper. He found his uncles quickly and took them to the back store room.
Ana stood up when she saw him come back into the room.
"Ana," he whispered. "I have to go home. My Mum wants me back there for dinner. This is my Uncle Fred and my Uncle George." Ana looked between the two, they were twins. They had name tags on, which she was thankful for. "They said it's okay if you stay here for a while."
"When are you going to take me to see your Father?" she asked quickly.
"Tonight. I'll come back around eleven to get you."
"Why so late?"
"Because he's not going to be back until ten and I don't want to drop this bomb shell until he's had a few to settle in."
"Are you two eloping or something?" asked Fred. Ana smiled and looked down as she blushed. Henry glared at his uncle.
"No," he whispered. "She's a runaway."
George and Fred smiled at their nephew.
"A runaway 'eh?" George said nudging Henry in the side. "We'll give you two a moment to say good bye."
"Yep," said Fred turning and leaving behind his brother.
Ana smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear. Henry smiled with embarrassment.
"They won't harass you like they do me," he said. "It's because I'm the oldest nephew."
"Do you have older siblings or cousins?"
"Yea," said Henry. "But they're all girls."
"Oh," said Ana with a small laugh.
"I'll be back before you know it," he said brushing her hair. She pressed her cheek against his hand, much like she had earlier that day when they first saw each other. He leaned down to kiss her, just as his lips grazed hers he disappeared quickly with a loud pop!
A few moments later Fred came into the back room with some food.
"I thought you might be hungry."
"Thanks," said Ana taking it.
"So what kind of runaway are you?"
"I ran away from my Father," she whispered.
"Why?"
"My reasons are my own," Ana said taking a bit of the roll that was on her plate.
"If you're here to hurt Henry or my family in any way I will kill you."
She looked up at him.
"I don't appreciate being threatened," she said.
He nodded and walked out of the back room.
"You're late," said Ginny Weasley-Potter as he son walked into the kitchen from the back door.
"I'm sorry Mum," he said putting down his bags of books and school supplies. "Is Dad home yet?"
"No," Ginny said as she placed some food in front of Lily.
"Hello Henry," said a small voice coming into the room.
"Hey Holly," Henry said collapsing into a chair next to his baby sister. Lily looked at him and giggled loudly. He smiled at her. Holly sat down across from him and looked around.
"Where's Colleen?"
"She's spending the night at Jessica McMath's house," said Ginny serving Holly some chicken. "Did you get everything you needed Henry?"
"Yes," said Henry eating quickly.
"Slow down," she said. "Why were you late?"
"Just lost track of time in the joke shop visiting Uncle Fred and George."
"You got to see Uncle Fred and Uncle George!" shrieked Holly with envy. "Mommy I want to go see Uncle Fred and Uncle George!"
"You'll get to see them later this week Holly, please don't yell at the table and finish eating."
Lily was babbling in her mashed potatoes. She giggled and threw a spoonful at Henry, it hit him in the cheek. Ginny leaned over and wiped Lily up.
"That's bad Lily," she said heaving a sigh.
"When's Dad getting home?" asked Holly.
"Later tonight, after you're in bed."
"Can't I stay up to see him? Please please please please please?"
"No," said Ginny.
"Daddy!" Holly yelled jumping up from her seat. She ran across the kitchen and tackled the man who had entered. He let out a loud laugh and picked up the six year old.
"Hello Holly," said Harry Potter to his daughter. He kissed her cheek. "Did you miss me?"
"Of course I did," said Holly kissing her Father's lips and hugging him around the neck.
"Harry," said Ginny standing up surprised. "You're home early."
"Yea," he said softly. "Plans didn't fall through."
"Why?" asked Henry looking at his Father.
Harry frowned.
"We'll talk about it later Henry," he said.
Henry nodded and turned back to the dinner table to finish his meal.
Later that night once the girls were in bed Henry sat on the living room floor staring into the fire that was burning brightly. Harry sat down with a large mug of coffee and sipped it carefully, Ginny followed shortly after him.
"So?" asked Henry not looking away from the fire.
"Lucius Malfoy didn't show up like we intended him to," said Harry once he took a sip of coffee. Henry looked at his father.
"Where was he?" Ginny asked. Henry knew very well where he was.
"The rumor is that he was searching for his granddaughter," said Harry. "I didn't even know he had a granddaughter. The thought of Draco Malfoy reproducing is disturbing."
"I don't know who would be crazy enough to reproduce with him," said Ginny.
"Maybe she didn't know," suggested Henry. "I'm sure she didn't know."
Ginny and Harry looked at their son oddly. Henry said nothing more and looked back at the fire.
"So what are you guys going to do now?" Ginny asked.
"We're not sure," said Harry. "We've been trying to get our hands on the Malfoy family since Draco got out of Azkaban. We know they're still in with Voldemort; the ministry just refuses to believe it. I'm not sure how to make them."
Henry stood up suddenly.
"I forgot, I said I would go back to the joke shop and help Uncle Fred restock," he said. "I'll be back."
"Be back at ten mister!" shouted Ginny as Henry disappeared to the kitchen to travel by Floo Powder.
Ana was looking through a book and sitting on her trunk in the store room when Henry returned. She stood up at the sight of him and smiled. She had changed her clothes; she was wearing a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt.
"Hi," he said coming to her.
"You're early," she said putting her hands behind her back.
"Yea, I guess my Dad was gone because he was going to intercept your Grandfather," said Henry. "But he didn't show up."
"He was here looking for me."
"Yea," said Henry.
"Did you tell him that I want to see him?"
"No," said Henry. "Come on, get your stuff. I'm going to thank my Uncles and then we'll leave."
"How are we traveling?"
"It will be fastest to Apperate."
Ana nodded as Henry left to thank his uncles. When he came back she had pulled on her jean jacket and was waiting for him. He came close to her and picked up her trunk, turning to on its side.
"I hope there's nothing breakable in here," he said.
"No," she said with a laugh. She put her bag across her body. "How do we Apperate two people?"
Henry turned a bit red.
"You don't know how to Apperate?"
Ana smiled softly. "No," she said shaking her head.
"Well," said Henry. "You have to hold on to me, be very close."
"Like this?" asked Ana wrapping her arms around his neck and looking at him from below. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Yea…close like we were this morning," he said with a dashing smile. He reached behind her and grabbed onto her trunk. "Just close your eyes and think of the Burrow."
"I don't know what it looks like."
"Good point. You'd better not think of it at all then, we might get lost."
"Alright," she said with a smile.
"Alright," he said taking a deep breath.
He closed his eyes and felt the familiar sensation of all energy being forced onto him. He felt like his ears were going to pop and blood was going to come spilling from his eyeballs. Then he felt a hard surface under his feet and Ana wrapped around him. He liked the feeling of her wrapped around him. He looked down at her. She was looking around them.
"Are we at the Burrow?" she asked confused.
He looked around.
"Yea," he said. "This is my backyard."
"Oh," she said. She looked up at him. "Henry."
"Yes?" He lowered his head towards hers. She stood on her toes, bringing her face even closer to his.
"I just want you to know that I can Apperate," she whispered with a smile. "It's just illegal for me to do so."
He stared at her oddly.
"Then why would you-oh," he said with a smile. "Ana."
"Yes?"
"I just want you to know that I find you very attractive."
Ana smiled up at him and bit her bottom lip. He liked it when she did that, it gave him shivers.
"You're making me melt again," she said back as they stood in the fields at night.
"Good," he said charmingly and leaned closer to her. His lips were gentle on hers. He kissed her more deeply. Her lips were soft, moist and addicting. They separated slowly. She was beaming up at him.
"Shall we go meet your Father?"
Henry looked at the house in the distance. The top bedroom light was on. His parents were in their room getting ready for bed. He looked back down at Ana.
"We can stay out here a little longer," he said with a smile. He kissed her again and she welcomed it.
"Mum, Dad," said Henry entering their bedroom quickly and loudly. He lit three candles with his wand and moved to the bed where his parents lay asleep. "Wake up."
"Henry what the hell are you doing?" asked Harry with his eyes still closed.
"Dad, I need you to come downstairs, come on it's important," said Henry. "And Mum I need you to reach Aunt Joce. She needs to come over right away."
"Henry have you been taking potions that make you crazy at night again?" Ginny whined rolling over into her husband's chest.
"Mum, no! Seriously," said Henry. "I met Ana Malfoy she's downstairs right now!"
Harry jumped out of bed.
"What the hell are you thinking!" he snapped. "Ana Malfoy? Who the hell is she?! Malfoy! What the hell is she doing in the house?! Did you go out on some rash brain spasm and find the damn granddaughter that Lucius was looking for?"
"Dad, Dad, calm down," said Henry blocking the door of his Father who was on the warpath. "I think Ana Malfoy is really Iris, Aunt Joce's daughter."
"Henry, are you nuts? Jocelyn wouldn't have been stupid enough to sleep with any Malfoy." said Harry sitting up. "You left a Malfoy downstairs in our house! What if she's searching for-"
Harry's mind was all over the place and Henry felt somewhat guilty. He probably nearly gave his Father a heart attack.
"Dad, she ran away from her home, I don't think she's-"
"It could be a trap!" Harry shoved his son out of the way and stormed down the stairs quickly. Henry ran after his Father afraid that he might hurt Ana. When he reached the kitchen he pinned his Father against the wall as he pulled out his wand.
"Dad no!" he hissed.
Ana was ducked under the table. She stood up quickly and fixed her jacket. She was glaring at Harry. Henry released his Father and came to her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "He over reacted."
"I can see that," she said back.
Henry stood in front of Ana and turned to his Father.
"Dad, just hear her out. She's not evil, I thought the same thing at first too," Henry said defending Ana.
"At least you didn't try to kill me," whispered Ana.
"Ana," Henry sighed giving her a soft glare. "You aren't helping."
"Henry get away from her, she probably put some kind of spell on you," said Harry pointing his wand at his son.
"I promise you Dad she didn't put a spell on me." Henry's thoughts disagreed with his statement. Yea, she put a spell on me, one that makes me want her all the time. He shook his head. "If you won't listen to her then all I ask is that you listen to me," said Henry very softly and calmly.
"What is going on?" asked Ginny appearing in a robe and slippers. "Henry who is that?"
"This is Ana Mum," said Henry stepping aside and giving his Father a harsh look. He presented Ana to them, taking her hand and pulling a chair out for her.
"Well it's good to know we raised a gentleman," said Ginny softly.
"Ginny," hissed Harry still holding his wand out in front of him.
"Mr. Potter," Ana said. Harry looked at her surprised. "I would greatly appreciate it if you would lower your wand and hear me out. The truth is I was told to come here for your help."
"By who?"
"I don't know," she said. "I have visions and I had one last night that told me to seek your help."
"And the help of the Phoenix," said Henry quickly glancing at his Father. "She needs our help Dad. She's on the run from her Father."
"I'm looking for my Mother," she added.
"Oh, I'll put on some tea," said Ginny moving to the stove. "Harry put that thing down and take a seat!"
Harry glanced at his wife and then to the table. He lowered his wand and moved forward, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"Why are you looking for your Mother?"
"Because my Father doesn't want me to find her," she said. "I over heard him arguing with my Grandparents about a tattoo I got recently, it's of a phoenix. My Grandfather insisted that I be taken to see the Dark Lord to have the thing removed and to be marked properly. I don't know what that means what so ever but I don't like the sound of it. My Grandfather stopped my Father from removing it himself because he feared that I would ask questions about my Mother."
"Her Mother is Jocelyn Black. I'm sure of it." said Henry with some excitement. "Mum did you send for Aunt Joce."
"She's your Aunt?" asked Ana sounding somewhat disgusted. Henry laughed.
"No, don't worry," he said. "She's not really my Aunt. She's a family friend; I've known her since I was born. I've always called her Aunt."
"What makes you think that Henry? I told you Jocelyn would never in her right mind sleep with a Malfoy."
"Because Dad," said Henry. "Anastasia Malfoy isn't known to anyone in the world. You think I would have known of her name, right? You think you would have known of her too, but we didn't. When you said her Grandfather was out looking for her today made me think of that. She's been kept a secret, Dad. Why would she be kept a secret if she wasn't being hidden from someone? Ana doesn't know her Mother. She thinks her Father is lying to her when he says that her Mother left them when she was young. She's also the same age that Iris would be if she hadn't been kidnapped by Death Eaters when she was a baby."
Ana released a sigh. Henry took her hand and squeezed it. He gave her a reassuring smile to comfort her.
"How do we know you aren't lying?" Harry asked Ana, ignoring his son's logic.
"Dad," sighed Henry rubbing his forehead.
Ana pulled off her coat and turned her back to the table. She pulled her shirt off and her hair over her shoulder. On her back, between her shoulder blades was a detailed phoenix in red ink. Its wings were spread wide and its head was facing up. Henry looked at it closely. The phoenix was swallowing a snake. He looked to his parents.
"It matches mine exactly," he said quickly. "The phoenix is swallowing a snake."
Harry looked at Ginny.
"Why don't you serve them the tea," he said. "I'll go get Jocelyn."
