Chapter 7

Severus Snape was furious. A second more of thought, and the Dark Lord would have killed him for sure. This was so typical of Anne, careless and arrogant. If she had even considered the situation, she would have realized that the manor's house elves are bound to notify the Dark Lord. And yet, Anne being Anne, wanted to taunt him some more, and used his life as bait. Life meant nothing to Anne, Severus knew. She loved the thrill of walking the tight rope, and she and her father both shared the view that death could never catch up to them. It was spiteful, he knew, comparing the two, but Severus was bitter. A few minutes later, an owl appeared with a note. Severus opened it, "Damage Control." Immediately after he read the letter, the owl and the letter vanished. Anne, Severus thought angrily. She loves these magic tricks, like a common muggle, his devil self added. But now, all he can do is just hope that Anne knew her father as well as she thought or else, he might just end up like Sirius trapped inside Grimold Place. And wouldn't that just be the best way to end your life.

Anne knew that the talk was long overdue. Bracing herself, and putting on her most pageant smile, she knew she had to put on a performance tonight. Appariting into her old house again, she sat down on the coach and waited. She really just wanted a drink, but she knew alcohol would weaken her occlumency. Sure enough, five minutes later, her father appeared.

"Well, well, Anne. Seeing you twice in a day. That's almost a record. Do you have a death wish?" Voldemort said with a smirk and chuckle.

"Why, father. I am shocked to hear you say such a thing. I want to hear all about your day!" The sarcasm was dripping like ice cream.

"Why don't we start with yours? For the last 16 years?"

"Well, as you can see. I have done quite well for myself. Head Auror of the International Commission of Aurors." Anne tilted her head up to the side as though acknowledging the applause.

"Yes" Voldemort smiled. "I was quite shocked when Wormtail told me. Almost, shocked me back to my death."

Anne laughed. "Oh and what a pity that would have been. I learned how to charm, plus, haven't you heard? I am quite good at detecting dark magic."

Voldemort laughed. He didn't really know how he felt about his daughter. She was an infuriating traitor there was no doubt about it, but her charm, her talent, her beauty, all that reminded him of himself at a young age. How she managed to become an auror, let along the head of the ICA, he will never know. She would have been his perfect right hand. With the two of them, he knew they would be unstoppable. Why did she have to be on the damn other side? That reminded Voldemort of the question he had been longing to ask.

"Why did the sort hat put you in Gryffindor?"

Anne was taken aback, and the truth came out. "I wanted to be with Sirius and James. They were my first friends. I thought Sirius knew what it would be like growing up with Bellatrix as your guardian."

"What? You could have found just as many friends in Slytherin, and some of their childhoods make Sirius look as though he grew up as a prince."

"I know. That's just what the sorting hat told me. But, I didn't believe it."

"So, let me get this straight. The only reason, you ended up in Gryffindor was because you wanted to have friends?"

"Um pretty much. Guess it was fate, huh?"

Voldemort got up and paced around angrily. Damn it, he should have made sure she sat next to Lucius, Anne was worried. She didn't know Voldemort would have been so angry to hear the truth. She needed to divert the situation and fast.

"So, while we are here, wanna help me out and tell me what you want inside the department of mysteries?"

It worked. Voldemort turned around and laughed. "What? The order hasn't figured it out yet?"

"If Dumbledore has, he isn't telling me. My job is just to stand guard over the stupid place 24 hours although I will get out of that."

"And what has you and Severus figured out?"

"That Severus is a greasy git."

Voldemort laughed. "Does Dumbledore know about you two?"

Anne was glad. Damage control done. "Well, he was initially upset that he wasn't invited to the wedding, but I think he has gotten over it. Of course he doesn't know! Dumbledore still doesn't completely trust me, and I don't know how letting him know I was once married to a death eater would help the situation. I think being related to you is enough."

"He trusted you enough to let you in."

"Probably because he hopes my contacts and power can help him."

"And will you?"

"Perhaps, if it is to my advantage."

Voldemort smirked again. "And here I was thinking you were fighting for the greater good."

"Don't you know? I am full of mysteries." Realizing she had said everything she needed to, Anne used her escape pass. "Anyways, well, we really should get together and have tea sometimes. But duty calls."

"Will I expect you outside the department of mysteries?"

Anne laughed. "Oh gosh no. Got better things to do with my time. See ya later, pop." And with that, Anne left and collapsed back home, tired from all the occlumence she had to build around the precious truth.

Next Chapter: Dumbledore.