Authors Note: I feel horribly about the lack of updates! So I decided it would be a good time to get this story moving! And do two chapters in less than 24 hours! I'm sorry for the wait, I've been busy with school and my examinations (which are officially over Friday! So expect another update then, or on Saturday!)

And I feel horrible about not being able to reply those who don't have a fanfiction account, and so I thought I'd reply it here! (At the end of the chapter).

'Is that the best you can do?' I taunted as I deflected a curse.

James glared at me before throwing another curse. I easily blocked this one too.

'This isn't a competition, guys.' My uncle said to me.

'But if it was.' I said, throwing a curse at James. 'I'd win.'

James was beginning to get really frustrated with me. I had always been better than him at duelling, but after being trained by Rodolphus, Lucius, Evan, Antonin, Augustus AND my uncle, I had become MUCH better than him.

'Let's take a break.' My uncle suggested.

'No!' James yelled.

I guess he was determined to at least get one curse through to me.

I laughed. 'Fine by me.'

I sent a curse and James went flying and hit his back against the wall.

He got up slowly, groaning.

'James! Are you alright?' I asked, falsely sweet and faking concern.

'Where'd you learn to duel like that?' He asked me, angrily.

I shrugged.

'Your little circle of deatheaters teaches you the dark arts, don't they?' James accused. 'What? Do you all sit on your dungeon floors practising how to torture innocent people?'

'James, that's enough!' My uncle exclaimed.

I went quiet though.

'Whatever, James.' I said. 'It's not my fault you're a complete imbecile who can't get a little spell correct.'

'Well at least I'm not a death eater whore!'

'At least I don't pine over a girl who will NEVER love me!'

'No you pin over your parent's murderer instead!'

'I don't love him, you git! I'm FUCKING STUCK WITH HIM!' I screamed, pointing my wand at James.

James did the same and we both stared at each other, daring one another to curse the other.

'James, Annabelle, ENOUGH!' My uncle yelled. 'Now if you two can't handle this, then we will stop all together!'

James and I both lowered our wands, nothing wanting to have our training lessons taken away.

I left the room, however, and went to my room.

I do feel for taunting James so much. I also have training lessons with my Uncle Nate, and I know how hard it is. I can't seem to get any spells right. Of course, the Dark Art's are much more complicated, being dark and all, but still, I can't get them right.

My uncle is very patient though. I remember training with Rodolphus, and he'd always get mad if I couldn't master the spell right away. My uncle never gets mad at me. In fact, I think he's too anxious about me getting hurt.

I sighed.

I should be nicer to James. I'm trying… but he just looks as me as if I'm evil.

It's weird. James used to defend me more than anyone else and deny that I have any Slytherin traits in me but now, it seems like that's all he sees in me.

I wish James could understand how things really were.

And I know bringing up Lily is a cheap shot, but it's the only way I know how to hurt him. Everyone can use anything to get to me, and I have such a horrible temper. My uncle says I get it from his side of the family too.

My dad had a horrible temper as well.

My uncle doesn't like to speak about my dad. i don't mind that much, but I don't understand why he hates him so much. I don't understand how family members could ever let something, anything get in between them. It seems like blood means everything to people in some ways, and it other ways, it doesn't.

I used to think nothing could change how James and I feel about one another and although the love is still there, and we're both trying to remain civil to one another, everything changed. It's just not the same anymore.

I used to love spending time with James and now, although I still like being with him, I want to curse him half the time that I am!

Life is confusing.

On top of that. I don't know what's going on with Rodolphus.

My uncle had tried to talk to me about it.

**

'Take a break, Anne.' Nathaniel Sorelli said to his niece.

'Uncle Nate, please! I almost have it!' Anne said, determined, and tired.

'There'll be more days, Anne. You need to stop stressing yourself out so much. Your magic will work to the best of your ability when you're relaxed. Otherwise, you won't be able to control it.'

Anne sighed, defeated.

She went to go sit on her uncle's leather couch.

Her uncle handed her a glass of water. She drank, eagerly.

'How are things going for you, Anne?' Nate asked.

Anne shrugged. 'Good.'

'And how are things with Rodolphus?'

Anne clenched her teeth and took another sip of her water.

'How are deatheater duties going?' she asked her uncle.

'Don't change the subject. I'm not that stupid.' Her uncle said.

Anne shrugged again. 'I don't know. I can't say things are well.'

'I know.' He replied. 'I've been informed.'

'By who? And informed what?' Anne asked.

'I'm your uncle. Naturally, I ask around about you. As often as I see you, I do not see you as much as I would like to. Having you permanently live here with me would be a much better idea, although not very ideal, I know.' Nate said, casually.

Anne smiled. 'I don't think my uncle would ever let me live with you.'

'Me neither.' Her uncle said. 'Why is it, that there are always problems with you and Rodolphus? You're not as troublesome as people make you seem.'

Anne looked offended. 'I'm not troublesome at all! It's everyone else that's difficult! I swear, they have more mood swings that the entire female population!'

Nate laughed. 'Even so, Anne, I think it would be wise to keep Rodolphus, of all people, happy. Your happiness in the future all depends on him and if he is not content with you, well, I can't say that you'll enjoy life very much.'

'Well, I know that, but what am I supposed to do? I'm never good enough for him, and I'm sick of trying.' Anne snapped.

'I know, Anne. You've been through a lot, and you don't deserve it. There's no use just sulking over it though. You've got to have a plan in mind about what you're going to do. Stop running away from your problems and make a decision. You can't keep changing your mind about everything. One day you're on Rodolphus's side, the next day you're on James's side. Pick one. Each side will have their faults, and you will have to deal with that. Everyone is making their choices, Anne and soon, you will have too as well. You can't keep going back and forth Anne, because sooner or later, it will be too late and someone will turn on you, before you make a decision, and if that person is Rodolphus, Anne, even I won't be able to save you.' My uncle said, all in one breath.

I wonder how long he's been thinking and worrying about all this.

I didn't reply him, not knowing what to say.

I don't think he expected me to answer, anyways.

**

He's right. I know he is, but what can I do?

I'm not sure what I think. I'm not sure what side I want to be on. I have loved ones on both sides, so how am I supposed to make a decision? On the one hand, I have my family, and on the other, my friends, who I've come to think of as a family.

…No matter how twisted they all are.

I walked over to my desk. I suppose I could write a couple of letters. I've mean meaning to anyways.

Dear Lucius,

Sorry for the late reply. All is well with me, how about you?

I feel much better about the other night, sort of. But I suppose, judging you will get me nowhere, so I will say nothing on the subject.

I know Rodolphus isn't pleased with me, and no, I do not know why. Sorry that he's been such a "prick" but alas, I cannot do anything about it.

I hope you're writing to Narcissa, and seeing her as well. I will give you hell for it if you have not! I'm not joking, either. Go see her! Don't mean to be such a nag, but it's my duty as a friend.

I miss you as well. (What a good liar, I am)

Love,

Annabelle

P.S I will be attending some weirdo ball with my uncle. I will see you there. I'm not sure where it is, but my uncle said it was some deatheater affair and that you'll be there. I'm telling my uncle that I'm going to Narcissa's place for the day, obviously.

I went on to my next letter.

Dear Severus,

I'm glad you're enjoying your time with Lily! It must be nice living so close to her.

I would love to meet you both, one day.

Just give me a date and time and I'll be there.

I'm sorry too, for the lack of contact. This is, I will try and do a better of keeping touch with people (at Hogwarts and during holidays).

Just know, I certainly haven't forgotten you, nor could I ever.

Your fantastically wonderful friend,

Annabelle

Next letter.

Dear Lily,

I know no amount of apologies could ever make up for this year. I know, we've grown apart, and it's all my fault.

I promise, I will try harder.

I will gladly see you whenever you are free and I hear you and Severus are enjoying each other's company very much! I'm pleased to hear that and of course, I want details!

God, I miss having girl talk with you!

Hope we can do it again soon!

Lots of love, always,

Annabelle

Next letter.

Dear Narcissa,

I'm sorry we haven't been able to see each other yet. I've been so tied up. Well, not really, I've spent most of my summer with my uncle. I've barely even seen Rodolphus.

Yes, I have seen Lucius over the summer. It was not a pleasant experience though. I will tell you more when I see you. (And don't say anything to Lucius, for it was not his fault).

I hope you're enjoying the holidays, and you know what? Why don't you come over here for a change? My aunt and uncle will allow it, so don't worry.

Ask your parents and let me know.

I miss you incredibly!

Loving regards,

Annabelle

Another letter.

Dear Sirius,

Narcissa will be coming over one of these days, so talk it over with her and the two of you can pick a date. If your parents know Narcissa is coming, they will allow you as well, and I'm sure James would appreciate it.

I'm sure you sneak out to see him anyways, but I thought I'd make things slightly easier. You ought to thank me for being so considerate! Although I'm sure you won't, so I don't know why I bother even writing it.

I hope your vacation is going well.

Sincerely,

Annabelle

P.S. We've got to meet up as well to discuss certain things.

One more letter.

Dear Rodolphus,

My uncle will be taking me to a deatheater gala and I have been informed that you will be present. I know, right now, you're not particularly fond of me, and I don't pretend to know why, although I have a feeling that I ought to know.

If I have offended or displeased you in any way or matter, I beg you to sympathise and forgive me.

Please spare me the pain of being kept in the dark and show me some mercy. I will be forever thankful and grateful.

I hope all is going well for you. Give your family my deepest regards, especially Rabastan.

I want to let you know my training with my Uncle Charles is coming along very nicely, and I have been able to learn everything at rapid speed.

My training with my Uncle Nate, I'm sad to inform you, is not going as well as I had hoped. I'm hoping things will pick up. He seems to believe that I could do it.

I've barely seen you all summer, and you had already told me that you'd be busy, and so I understand. If it's not too much trouble for you, I would love to meet up before the day of the gala arrives.

I'm sorry for not having written sooner.

Your perpetually faithful and loyal mistress,

Annabelle.

P.S I hope that was formalenough for you.

(Sorry, I almost did it right)

Done.

I sealed all the letters and attached them to my owl, who flew away.

I sighed and just flopped onto my bed.

I don't know what I want anymore. Nothing makes sense. I feel like I'm a robot, just always doing the same things. All my life, I've tried to please those around me, whether it was my parents, James, or Rodolphus. In the end, I realize, I've worked so hard to give people what they want, that I don't even know what I want anymore.

I had loved Rodolphus, but now what?

I feel so bitter now, like everyone I had once known had been taken away from me and now I'm left in my own memories and just stuck here.

How do I make a decision anyways?

I don't know what I want.

I hadn't wanted acceptance before and freedom.

I wanted to love and be loved, I wanted to be the best of them all! The smartest, the most powerful, the nicest, the loyalist, but what am I?

Who am I?

A robot.

Maybe Rodolphus is right and I am weak. All I seem to do is run away and hide. Hide from all the cruelty and darkness of this world. But it's not possible, is it? No matter what everything will always follow me around.

And in the end, I will have to make some decisions.

What if I don't? I may lose myself forever.

But am I anyways?

I just don't know.

**

I woke up several hours later.

I sighed.

I barely get any sleep nowadays, it's no wonder I slept through the whole day. What a waste. I could've been doing something else.

I looked up to see a letter on my table.

At least someone is missing me.

I wasn't sure who had replied to my letter so fast. I picked it up, and read the parchment.

Annabelle,

Rodolphus made me promise to write this letter to you. He says he's far too busy to do it himself. I saw him briefly today and all he could talk about was his stupid blood traitor mistress.

First off, he wants you to know that he was proud of your letter up until the ending, which he had said, amused him greatly.

He wouldn't tell me what the letter contained.

He also said something about earning his forgiveness.

He said a lot more, which I cannot remember. Or perhaps I do.

So, I guess this letter was a waste of time. Rodolphus could tell you himself.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

Bellatrix Black

I ripped the letter up.

What a BITCH!

Of course, she conveniently forgot what Rodolphus said. She's such a jealous person, I don't know why.

Rodolphus and I are nothing. In fact, he looks at me as if I'm less than nothing.

Why does it matter anyways? Why do I even care?

I started to cry. Why, I don't know?

I ran downstairs.

'Anne?' James questioned.

'Just leave me alone, James!' I yelled, pushing past him.

I heard James yell something behind me, but I didn't hear him.

I ran outside, and apparently, there was some kind of rainstorm going on. I'm guessing this was the doing of the Dark Lord. The weather always seems to be bad at night, lately.

I went towards my broom and flew.

Being on the Quidditch teams, I had to learn to play in all kinds of weather and conditions. However, I had never played in weather this bad.

I wouldn't be surprised if I crashed and someone found my dead body in the morning.

But thankfully, and miraculously, I managed to reach my destination.

I arrived at a window, and began tapping furiously at the window, until finally, he opened it.

I flew in, soaking wet.

'Anne?! What are you doing here? What's wrong? Are you okay?'

I wrapped my arms around him, just crying.

Perhaps he hadn't been able to tell I was crying do to the fact that I was wet from the rain, but he certainly knows now.

'I can't do it.' I wailed. 'I can't deal with it all! His psychopath, evil bitch of a girlfriend, his constant abuse and neglect, his mood swings, the torturing, the murders! James HATES me, everyone HATES me, and I can't do it! I'm ALWAYS injured. I can't do it! I can't do it... I c-can't do it. I can't...I can't. I. Just. Can't.'

'Anne...' he whispered, stroking my hair. 'Shhh, calm down. It's okay. It's alright. Please don't cry, Anne.'

'I c-can't. It hurt so much. I can't' I cried, hopelessly.

'Anne, look at me. Look at me.'

I looked into his grey eyes.

'None of it is your fault, and don't you dare start to think that. Nobody hates you either, Anne! How could they! Just look at you!' He said, sounding sincere. 'You're so loyal, brave, talented and so incredibly beautiful.'

I laughed bitterly. 'I come to your room soaking wet and crying! I look like a bloody mess!'

Somehow, that made me cry even harder. I turned away from him.

'You're a beautiful mess, Anne.' He told me, reaching for my face, so I could look at him.

I stared at him. 'Why would you say that? Why would you of all people say that?'

'Well.' He began. 'Why would you come to me of all people?'

'Because.' I said softly. 'You're my saviour.'

After that comment, he kissed me, and I let him, nothing caring about anything else or anyone else.

My tears stopped immediately. There would be no tears during this. Not this.

All our energy, passion and lust will come into play now.

I know he understands me better than anyone else.

And that is why I came to him. I needed this right now and when morning comes, we will both be filled with regret, but we will deal with that in the morning.

Right now, nothing else will stop us.

He carried me over to his bed and climbed on top of me. Iii wouldn't have it that way though. I needed him to see that I feel exactly the way he does. That it's not just him, but me as well.

So I flipped him over, and I was on top, trailing kissing down his neck. I kissed him so eagerly and took in his scent. He smelt wonderful, and everything about this felt so right.

I looked into his longing, lustful eyes and ran my hands through his hair. I loved his hair. I took off the shirt and he watched me, almost greedily.

I began kissing him again, and he wrapped his hands around my body, pulling me closer to him.

He was so wonderful, I could not get enough from him. I swear, I did not even want to break the kiss, just for a single breath. But I did, because I wanted this to last longer. Although if I were to die right now, I'd die happy.

He took this opportunity to remove his shirt and once he was down, I kissed every inch of his chest and he dug his nails into my back.

It felt so good.

I could not explain why everything felt so perfect.

I haven't felt like this in ages.

I removed my bra and he looked at me, mesmerized.

I felt the same way about him, at this very moment.

I don't think he could control himself any longer. He flipped me over so that I was back underneath and kissed me greedily and hungrily, placing his hands underneath my skirt, making their way up my thighs.

He slipped his finger into me and I gasped in pleasure and he began to move them inside of me in a rhythmic, steady pace.

It was almost cruel how good he was at it.

'You're so wet.' He commented, smirking with satisfaction.

Of course, count of him to be arrogant at a time like this.

I lifted my knee slightly and felt the bulge in his pants.

Now I smirked.

He laughed, and increased the pace of his fingers.

When I started to squirm, he removed my skirt and my panties. He wasn't one to play games. I was thankful of that. Rodolphus would've watched me squirm.

'You ready?' he asked.

Of course, he didn't give me a chance to answer. I didn't expect him to. We were both too far in to back out now, even if we wanted to, which we certainly didn't.

He shoved himself inside of me and I screamed and moaned in pleasure. He too groaned in pleasure and kept thrusting into me, both of climaxing and tensing up.

He began kissing me again, roughly, intimately, passionately.

He kissed me in a way Rodolphus never did.

Not because he could. But because he wouldn't.

I realize it all now.

It's not that he can't love me, it's that he won't.

But in this very moment, I did not care about Rodolphus, or my friends, or anyone. Not of Narcissa, James, Rabastan, Rodolphus, no one.

Just me. Just him.

Just us.

And I know it's for one night and one night only, because we both know we can't do this. None of us are free to do so, and I know this.

Still, it does that mean that the two of us cannot enjoy this at this very moment.

I almost wish that I do die at this very moment. I can't imagine going back to that awful life, when right now, I'm happier than I've been in the longest time.

And true happiness. Not happiness that only lasts me a little while.

It kills me to know, that after tonight, we will pretend that nothing happened and things will be as they always have been.

Life was cruel. Life was unfair. This war ruined everything.

But one day, one side will win.

I don't know why, but I am convinced that in the end, I will be amongst those who survived. Whether I'll be on the winning side or not, I do not know.

I could very well have a happy ending.

I heart positively leapt at the thought of that. That feeling of hope that somehow, in the end, everything will work out for the best and that I'll be happy.

There are more deaths left to come, I know this. More murders, torturing, and sacrifices. But I will survive. Perhaps out of spite, perhaps just out of the bitterness of it all. But I will fight and live to see the end of this war.

I very well know that the end of this war could lead to my ultimate misery and destruction but it could also lead to lifetime of happiness.

And this is the first time in who knows how long that I have felt like this.

Like I have a chance, like I have a shred of hope.

And I know in the end, it will be my decision. And perhaps it's my own ego talking, but I believe my decision will have a huge impact on this war.

Maybe, I will be forgotten one day, or very soon. I'm actually quite certain of it, but I believe I will be an important asset to this war.

I'm starting to think that everyone else knows this as well.

It may explain why everyone is so keen on knowing my decision.

I stopped thinking at this very moment, because undeniably glorious sensation spread throughout my entire body.

And form the look on his face, he had climaxed fully as well.

I clutched onto him tightly, never wanting to let him go.

He did the same.

Finally, we were done.

Of course, the night was far from over. I wasn't done with him and he was certainly not done with me.

But we needed this moment, this chance to let everything sink in.

And for once, I was too lost in my own thoughts to care about what the other guy was thinking.

I'm sure it was along the same lines as me though.

'I meant everything I said.' He told me, breathing heavily.

'I know.' I told him, breathlessly.

'It will all work out in the end, Anne.' He told me. 'I'm always here for you.'

'Thank you.' I told him. 'I don't know what I'd do without you.'

And after that very brief conversation, we started up again.

Who would've ever thought that he would be my saviour?

Sirius Black.

Author's Note:

Alesandra: I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and even more glad that you think it's amazing! I try to make the emotions of my characters as real as possible (which, in the end, may not be a good thing, because I'm deeply tempted to change the original ending of the story that I had planned!) I hope the story continues to live up to your expectations! I'll do my best!

Asta Marionette: Yes, I've realized Anne is quite young. I've worked it out this way, so that it would explain why Anne is so vulnerable and impressionable. Although anything that Anne is going through would be tough on anyone of any age, I believe it would be harder on someone who is still extremely young. Being so young, you can understand why Anne is so very easily infatuated with older, darker, more mysterious, powerful and mature men. And being young, you can understand how lost Anne his. With the death of her parents, and always wanting to prove herself, she's continuously searching for something, or better yet, someone who could fill the void inside of her. As she's growing, she's realizing how lost she truly is, and how deep she's actually getting into a world she doesn't fully understand. She knows she's losing not only those around her, but herself as well. I wanted to start Anne off young and show the growth of her maturity and how people influence her.

Rodolphus is the one who was 15 (he's actually 16, now. I will mention that in the next chapter). They're all quite mature for their age in some ways, and in other ways not.

Anne, obviously is the main character, but I do plan on showing the development of the other characters as well. The story is centred around Anne, but of course, everyone else around her is also changing and being affected by the war.

And yes, Voldemort. :) He is going to mentioned again in the next chapter. I wanted to show how deeply Anne is intrigued by anything powerful and dark. She's having an inner struggle about everything. Whereas she finds attraction in some things, she is repulsed by other, and thus, she is confused.

In terms of Voldemort, she finds him absolutely fascinating and has never been more mesmerised by a man. On the other hand, she is equally disgusted of him, and does not really consider him human.

Like I said, Anne is very conflicted.

I'm glad you still find the story intriguing! It makes me happy to know someone gets excited in seeing that my story has been updated! You're such a loyal reader and reviewer and I thank you for it!

And thanks to everyone who reads my stories. I hope you're enjoying it!

Oh, and I know I said I'd write a chapter in Lucius's POV, and I will! Soon enough!

And VERY sorry for the incredibly long Author's note.