Disclaimer: If i owned Harry Potter i would be busy writing the last book instead of sitting here writing fan fiction. The title of this story is from a song by Paul Oakenfold, something i didn't know until just recently.
Chapter 7: Deceptive Deeds
Anna sighed as she munched on her piece of toast, completely lost in thought and unaware of everything that was happening in the Great Hall.
The sudden hooting of owls woke her from her reverie. In a flurry of feathers, owls of all kinds swooped into the Great Hall with the morning post. Anna rummaged in the pocket of her new blue robes, drawing out a few Knuts to pay the owl sitting on the staff table, the Daily Prophet clasped in it's beak.
When the owl had been paid and departed, Anna unfolded the paper and frowned at the front page.
"Nine killed in Death Eater attack."
Was the headline above a large photo of the Dark Mark glittering in the night sky.
"That's the third attack this week." Anna said quietly to no one in particular.
She continued reading the article, giving a slight sigh of relief when she didn't recognise the names of any of those killed. Having briefly worked in various departments of the Ministry of Magic, Anna knew some of the people who worked to stop the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who.
She flipped through the rest of the paper, but it was all about the attack so she folded it carefully, so as to hide the picture of the Dark Mark, and placed it beside her plate of now-cold toast.
Oh how she hated You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters!
She hated the evil they spread, not to mention the fear, and she hated how they hurt good people. Good people like her brother, Eric, who was in St Mungo's. Permently.
Thinking of Eric caused a lump of sadness to form in her throat. Taking a deep breath she glanced at the folded Daily Prophet. At least she would be able to visit him soon, it was almost the end of November and the Christmas holidays were approaching fast.
Anna looked around the staff table. A few of the other professors had copies of the Daily Prophet in front of them and were involved in quiet conversations, worried looks on all their faces.
Anna tried to hear what McGonagall and Sprout were saying, but they were conversing in very quiet whispers.
Resting her chin in one hand, Anna cast a look at the empty seat beside her. Professor Snape was absent from breakfast, not for the first time Anna noted.
There was something going on with Professor Snape. Every time Anna had seen him lately, he looked pale and worn out. He also, if it was possible, had become even nastier during the past week. Nastier to everyone, not just Anna. She doubted if his classes were having this effect on him, perhaps he was sick?
She gave her head a slight shake and rose from her seat. Picking up the Daily Prophet she left the Great Hall to make a quick stop at her office before her first class of the day, a single lesson with third year Ravenclaws. A good morning lesson, Anna thoroughly enjoyed teaching students of her old house.
Anna entered her office, leaving the door open, and began to rummage through her desk drawers for her lesson plan and the new quill she had bought in Hogsmeade.
"Annalyse?"
She looked up, brushing some wayward strands of hair from her face, to see Michael Marlan standing in the doorway wearing red velvet robes.
"Yes, Michael?"
He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand for a moment before he spoke.
"Look, I know you're probably still annoyed with me – "
"I'm not annoyed with you, Michael." She went back to searching through the desk drawers. Michael had apologised not long after their conversation in Hogsmeade, Anna had accepted and offered her own apology. She still couldn't quite grasp why she had gotten defensive.
"Yes, well, I was wondering if you would like to do something this weekend?"
Anna straightened up from bending over the drawers, her timetable and quill in her hands.
"What? You mean…a date?" she said uncertainly.
"Yeah, you could say that." He gave her a sheepish grin.
Anna stared at him; taking in his hazel eyes, light brown hair and straight nose. He certainly was handsome, arrogant at times, but still nice…and he wanted to date her?
"Oh, er…" casting a glance at her watch she realised she was late for her class. "Er, I'm late for my class, can I give you an answer later?"
"Ah, sure Annalyse."
"Ok. I will talk to you later Michael." With that she left her office quickly, Michael watching her walk away in silence.
A smirk slowly appeared on his lips.
