Disclaimer: We've been over this before! No I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's original characters. I do however own Annie. Lyrics in this chapter are from the song Falling or Flying by Grace Potter. She owns them and the song, not me.
Chapter 13: Plural Equals Singular
(Are we Falling or Flying?)
Annie Voice Over: After many night's of little sleep and much deliberation, I have decided that life sucks. And not in the generic, I'm a teenager so my life inevetibly sucks, or the angsty 'I hate the world' sucks. What I'm talking about is a more broad spectrum of the suckage. World Hunger, Aids, Death, the fact that my left foot is slightly bigger than the right. Eh ha, that was a joke people, in case you couldn't tell. But I guess, what I'm trying to say is, maybe one day we'll all realize that life bites, and we'll do something about it.
We got lost again
"No...no,"
"Why not?"
"Why not?" She laughed as though it was obvious, "Why not? Oh I don't know, maybe it's the fact that I'm not qualified! Or the fact that I'm a teenager, well okay almost adult, and command zero respect! Or maybe...well I don't know... I just, ughhh! Stop laughing at me!" The trio laughed at the fact she was trying as hard as she could to come up with a reason not to accept their offer. "Now I'm not disagreeing with you all, it's a great idea, really it is. And I'm, well what's the word, honored and humbled that you three asked me what you asked me. But here's the thing, I don't want to be an Order leader!"
drove to the end of the road
"Give me one, good, solid reason why not..." Hermione said fairly.
"I...uh...I..." Annie stopped pacing and looked all three of them square in the eye. It wasn't a joke, it wasn't a lie.
"Annie, I trust you." Harry spoke, his voice unwavering of any doubt, of any fear. He spoke with conviction. And then she knew.
To think, you have to be sure. I'll be there waiting, when your sure, I'll be waiting. I'll help you in any way I can to beat him, but until you're ready to trust me, we're just friends.
and in the 23rd light
This was her job, the one thing that was being asked of her. And she was just going to say no? She was going to sit on the side lines and watch it all happen. No, Annie Black, wasn't that kind of person. She was strong, intelligent, a little crazy, but she was a powerful witch, and the only haven in centuries. Harry saw these qualities in her when she couldn't see them herself.
"Alright, I'll do it. For you. On one condition." She held up her finger as Harry was about to say something, "I don't want to know how dangerous, whatever Dumbledore left for you to do, I don't want to know. Because I can't focus on what I have to do, if I know that you're out there somewhere hurting. Okay?" She gave Harry's hand a little squeeze.
things aint bad but things aint right
are we falling or flying?
are we falling or flying?
are we living or dying?
"Okay," Harry smiled back at her and she sat down on the arm of his chair.
"So let me get this straight. We're talking about an entire wizarding revolution? Against Voldemort, against the Ministry, against the Order. Essentially, an entirely different side to the war?"
"Basically. We'll start small. I don't know if this is what Ron and Mione were thinking but, I would personally like to get Neville, Luna, Ginny, and Fred, George in this to start. Nothing too big, yet a decent foundation to grow upon. Then in a few months time, or when you feel necessary, you start recruiting. Not only kids, but adults who can give advice."
"You know, it may not be bad to have a few international contingents. Even though England may be the worst affected by this contention, I would have to guess it would be hitting close to home for the magical communities in other countries." Annie paused for a second allowing Harry to speak.
"You mean, Krum and Fleur?" He had never seen this side of Annie before, almost diplomatic.
"Yes, among others. Different magical communities have different ways of executing charms, spells, potions. Differing philosphies could give you an advantage. I know how purebloods think, it's all about pride and predjudice, if you excuse the pun. Voldie and his Deatheaters, will think their way's the best way. They have their heads too far up their asses to see that there's two ways to skin the cat."
I guess we'll never know
Thing's ain't good but they aint boring
"You practiced that didn't you?" Harry whispered referring to her speech. It was the first time he had heard Annie put together a coherent thought without rambling.
"I feel like I rushed it..."
"No it was good, although, you kinda ruined it with the heads up the asses thing."
"Well, a little color never hurt anyone."
"Yeah well tell Snape that."
"Oi, you two stop whispering sweet whatevers in each others ears..." Ron said cheekily.
"Jealous?" Annie said jokingly. "Nonetheless, I'm in. So tell me something, how did you two manage to escape Muriel and Mooney? And at the exact same time? I'm sensing some lying, some trickery."
"It was pure coincidence actually, Ron came on a broom, and I apparated."
They talked a bit more about their lives of isolation, Hermione happened to mention Tonks and Remus were acting differently lately. Tonks was completely and totally radiant, happy, and content (at least as much as you could be during a war) while Remus, soft and friendly Remus, had turned a bit cold, bitter, and snappish. Annie, hoped it was just stress and in time it would pass. But something irked her, something didn't feel right.
Before Ron and Hermione left, Hermione pulled Annie aside.
"Listen, I know you like books, so I was wondering if you could do me a favor?" Hermione wore a grave expression on her face.
"Sure, what's up?"
"Well it has to do with this task Dumbledore gave Harry, I was hoping you wouldn't mind searching the Black library for a certain subject."
"Okay, but why the Black Library?"
Are we falling or flying
are we living or dying
"This, well subject, it's dark, it's revolting and dispicable. And seeing as we are where we are..."
Annie looked around the Black house, it certainly screamed dark, revolting, and dispicable. "Alright, what are we looking for?"
"You probably haven't heard of them, but Horcruxes."
Annie had briefly heard of the subject, she just couldn't remember where..."You mean a Horcrux?" She had never heard of multiple Horcruxes.
"No Annie, unfortunately I mean Horcruxes. Plural."
"Holy mother of..."
I guess we'll never know
taught us to do what were told
"Harry sweetie, you asleep?" Annie was facing towards her boyfriend, and he gave a loud snorting snore, "I'll take that as a yes. Listen, I know you're asleep and you won't hear any of this, but maybe that's the point. I love you, and not in that corny, Valentines Day, Cupid with the diaper and arrow thing. And may I say what's with that? The Diaper, not exactly a chick magnet there bud." Harry heard the end of this and was about to move when he heard, "But, I love you, and that scares me. But what terrifies me even more than love itself is the fact that I may lose you some day. And I know that's selfish, thinking about myself and all. You make me feel, special, and not in a stop eating the paste special, but a beautiful kind of special. And I don't want to take that for granted anymore. You know how in every story, there's the guy who fights danger and the guy who sees danger and runs away? I just wish you could be both. And I know that's not fair, you're the guy who fights back. I just wish somedays it didn't have to be you. I love you. Be safe, be strong, and have hope."
Cause my friend this to shall pass
So play every show like it's your last
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I certainly loved writing it. It's a bit short, so expect an update in a day or two's time.
Preview for next chapter:
Christmas
Someone leaves
While someone comes
Judy Garland (figure it out, Judy Garland and Christmas put together equals?)
A plan to escape... (vague clues I know, sorry)
Thanks to mrspatrickdempsey for her review
The Motley Collection for adding me to their c2
My bud Honor
and any member who has put this on their favs or alerts and anyone I have forgotten to mention.