A Matter of force.
Part 37
The confrontation.
OooOOooOO
It was early evening on a Monday. Quidditch was over for the year, and the school was preparing for the end of the year.
Anna Potter was on the seventh floor of Hogwarts. She was looking at a portrait of a wizard trying to teach Trolls ballet with a frown on her face. She had walked past it three times. "Show me the room with the diadem."
The door in the wall opposite the portrait opened a crack. She turned and frowned at it, gripping her wand in her hand. She turned to face the open door.
"Potter."
The redhead froze up and turned with a forced smile on her face. "Professor." Snape walked up and frowned at her as he moved up to her side and loomed over her.
"What are you doing here?"
The young redhead looked up at him. "Just noticing this interesting painting." She nodded towards the Trolls as they attempted to dance, moving in clumsy half pirouettes. "I was on my way from the Astronomy tower when I noticed it. I suppose I've been here for a few moments. It's...amusing, but odd."
The man narrowed his eyes at her, not noticing the door close in silence behind his back. "The astronomy tower?"
The girl nodded. "Yes. I needed to check on the alignment of Sirius Minor to Orion and Virgo. I've got a paper to write for Divination on Astrological alignment and pregnancy predictions."
The man gave a small growl. It was obvious he didn't believe a word of it. "I see. I take it your business here is finished then?"
Anna gave a nod and turned away. "Yes. I have what I need. I was on my way back to the dorms when this portrait caught my attention." She walked off, leaving the man standing there.
Snape glanced at the door opposite the portrait and frowned a little more. He turned and moved off on his own business. He was returning to his office, but didn't feel like walking with the young redhead. He decided to take another route and turned down a different hall after waiting for her to move from his line of sight.
As soon as the hallway cleared, another figure moved out from the shadows nearby. Her head was covered in a hood and she had a deep frown on her face. "A hidden room?"
She looked at the portrait and narrowed her eyes as she pulled her hood off. It was Kate Delane and she glowered for a moment in the direction the girl and the Head of her House had gone. "What were you up to I wonder?"
She turned towards the portrait, walked past it three times, and turned towards the door. "Show me the room with the diadem."
The door cracked open and she strolled inside. She found herself standing in a room full of shelves, with broken objects, shimmering bottles of evil looking potions, and assorted things of a magical nature. "What did you want with this place I wonder?"
She could feel something, a presence within the room. The force amplified it, and it called to her. "I sense something."
Kate strolled into the shelves, ignoring all the strange objects that lined them. She stepped over a few broken brooms, and what looked like a spiked Bludger. The box it was in shook for a moment as she stepped over it and towards the back of the room.
She glared down at a bust, and an old dusty tiara. Her eyes focused on the jeweled headband. She could feel a power within it. The jewelry seemed to call out to her, she could almost hear her name. "What is this?"
Hidden almost in a wind that was not there was a voice. She could feel fear, anger, hatred. The object was afraid, it knew it was in danger. "Take me! Take my power! Destroy her!"
Kate reached out her arm, but did not touch it. The tiara floated off the bust, dust falling away from it as it floated in the air. She knew the voice, it was familiar to her. "You! I know you."
Her eyes narrowed with a dark pleasure as the metal of the tiara twisted and curled as it moved towards her arm. She cupped her hand, but not to grasp it. "Come to me. Together, we shall have our revenge." The metal passed over her hand, and wrapped around her left wrist like a bracelet. It glowed orange as it twisted and wrapped itself tightly around her forearm just above her wrist.
Kate growled as it sizzled against her skin, steam and smoke rose from her arm as she fell to her knees, gripping her forearm just above where the tiara, now bracelet became fused into her very skin, permanently grafting itself to her arm.
The girl gasped as she remained on her knees before the bust. She growled and glared at it as she staggered to her feet after a moment. "I see. Welcome back...Master."
OooOOooOO
Harry Potter yawned and stretched his arms. He was sitting on the edge of his bed and had just put his shoes on again after dressing for classes.
Ron was standing next to him, pulling his robe onto his shoulders. "Did you finish that Transfiguration paper?"
His friend nodded and pushed his glasses up his nose a little more as he pulled on his own robe. "Yeah. I managed to finish it up last night. I had to stay up a bit later than normal to get it in. I'm a bit tired, but it's done."
The redhead nodded and grinned. "I've still got a few more lines to go. I'm mostly done."
The pair walked into the stairwell and down into the common area. Hermione was waiting for them by the entrance to the dorms. She pushed off the wall and seemed cheerful. "Good morning."
Both boys greeted her with "Good morning" in return.
"You're in a good mood today." Harry smiled at her.
The girl nodded and her smile faded a bit. There was something off about his grin. "What's wrong?"
He arched his eyebrow at her and shrugged. "Nothing. Just a bit tired."
The frazzle haired girl gave a half nod, but didn't seem convinced. "You finished that paper then?"
"Almost." Ron cringed at the look on her face.
"Yeah. I was up a bit late doing it. I'm fine." Harry stretched his arms and cracked his neck.
"All right then." Hermione continued to glare at Ron. "What do you mean almost?"
He put his hands up between them. "Calm down. I've only got a few more lines to go. I'll finish it before breakfast is over." He turned his head as he felt something warm and wet on his cheek.
Parvati was smiling at him as she pecked him on the cheek in greeting. "Good morning! How are you this morning Ron darling?"
"On the verge of failing Transfiguration." Hermione pushed on his arm. "Come on then. We'd best get to the dining hall so you can finish that paper."
Harry shook his head as both girls pulled the redhead towards the exit. Parvati seemed a bit annoyed as Hermione pulled them both along as she hung off of Ron's arm. The unfortunate boy looked a bit uncomfortable, but didn't resist either way.
The Boy Who Lived almost ran into Collin as he turned away. "Oh. Good morning."
Neville was next to him, with Dean holding him in a friendly looking headlock while rubbing at his skull. The large boy shoved him away lightly. "Knock it off."
Harry chuckled at the scene. "What are you three up to?"
Seamus stood up from a nearby chair and poked at Neville's belly. "Longbottom has a crush on your sister."
The hefty boy flushed. "I do not! I was just looking at her new Chocolate Frog Card." He handed it to Harry.
Collin nodded. "You've got a new one as well." He shoved it into his hand. "They have you in your Quidditch uniforms, and they have new stats."
The mouse haired boy looked at the back of both of them. "New stats?" The front sides had them both in their uniforms holding broomsticks on their shoulders.
The first year was looking quite impressed and almost shaking. "Yes. Now it says that you killed that Basilisk. They just came out this week."
Neville nodded. "Gran sent me a box yesterday."
Harry's face fell as he looked at the back of his sister's card. "The Greatest Potions Genius in the Universe? Are you kidding?" He gave a small sigh and shook his head. "I guess I can't argue with that, but still. Really."
Neville took both cards back. "Well, it says she's the youngest to ever become a Potions Master. Beat the old record by two years."
Dean frowned a bit as Seamus grinned at him. "And she's a total babe."
"So is he!" Sasha, one of the girls in his class, kissed his image as she waved another of the cards about. She was with a group of giggling girls that waved at him as they moved by while giving him dreamy eyed stares. "Good morning, Harry!" they chimed as a group.
Harry flushed a little and gave a rather weak wave back. He turned around and found the boys giving him a half annoyed, but more amused looks.
"Disgusting," commented Dean.
"Lucky bastard," agreed Seamus as he watched the scene.
"Neville is right though, Anna is cute." Collin grinned at the flustered boy.
"I never said that!" He shoved the card into his pocket. "Besides, she's got a boyfriend."
Seamus nodded. "Right. That lucky jerk, Cedric in Hufflepuff."
"I don't know about that." Dean grumbled. "I don't think she's cute."
Finnigan frowned at him. "What's wrong with you? She's a total babe! Right, Harry?"
The boy in question shook his head. "Gross." He turned away. "I'll see you later. I'm going to breakfast." He waved over his shoulder and moved towards the exit.
His smile faded a little as he walked out into the hall. Something felt off that day. There was a disturbance in the force. He had a bad feeling, and couldn't shake it.
OooOOooOO
Anna was sitting at her house table with her friends. "What? Are you joking?" She looked at Pansy with wide eyes and a half cocked grin on her face.
The brunette scrunched up her nose and shook her head as she giggled. "Well, what did you expect? It's a hot seller this year because of you."
"Everyone is wearing them I've heard." Margaret nodded and kept her nose up.
"I only wore that thing once. I don't get it." The redhead gave a sigh.
Melvin was chewing on a mouthful of eggs and swallowed. "You always say that. When are you going to figure out that girls look to you for that sort of thing?"
"I think it's cool!" Ginny seemed pleased.
"Do you think I should get one?" Marci cocked her head and seemed to think on it, putting her finger against her chin.
"I think it would look good on you." Ginny nodded and smiled at her. She'd spent her entire year hanging around the blond girl, and the two were now close friends.
"It's was just a newsboy cap." Anna seemed to regard it as nothing important. "I remember the one you're talking about. I don't even own it. It was just something they gave me to wear for the promo shots of the last album."
Melvin looked up at her. "I've still got mine. Haven't worn it since though." He diverted his attention away from looking at the older girls sitting nearby while he ate.
Ginny looked at her. "Really? There was an article about you in Sorceress Teen Beat a few months ago where they used a picture of you wearing it. It was so cute."
The older redhead rolled her eyes. "It figures. I am not a fashion icon. I'm a tomboy, I don't care about that stuff."
"Yes, you are." Pansy shoved her shoulder a little. "Whether you like it or not."
Margaret nodded. "She's right you know. I liked the pictures of me in the derby hat more. Remember? With the blouse, tie, jacket, and those cute skirts?"
Pansy lit up. "Oh! Yes! I remember those outfits."
Anna looked away, she remembered as well, but didn't want to admit it.
Melvin gave a heavy sigh. "Nothing tops that time we got those pictures with those..."
"Girls in the leather bikinis." Pansy and Margaret both sounded annoyed as they finished for him.
"Yeah. It was awesome." He either didn't notice, or didn't care.
Anna gave a rough snort. "You know, you two shouldn't talk. You were both staring at those two body builders in speedos pretty hard."
"Like you weren't." Margaret leaned over the table and narrowed her eyes.
Anna munched on a piece of dry toast. "Not my style really. I don't like that much muscle. It's a bit much."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "They were cute."
Their ringleader nodded. "I never said they weren't." She paused and looked over her shoulder. "Hello, Harry."
He nodded at the group. "Hey." They all waved back, Ginny and Marci both flushed and sank into their seats a little more. Along with a few of the other girls sitting nearby.
Anna stood up and gave a small sigh. "Not here to visit?"
"No. I just wanted to talk with you for a moment." They started walking away towards the end of the table to the corner.
Ginny gave a heavy sigh as she watched them go. "He is such a hunk."
Melvin chuckled. "What? I'm not rich and handsome too?"
Marci nodded. "Well, yes. You're also a depraved pervert though."
Ginny narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes. We both heard about you getting caught using a wind charmed fan to blow up girl's skirts in the hall."
The boy nodded. "Yeah. I should have been more careful with it. Filch took it from me after he caught me. I think I saw him using it to blow leaves off the walkways last week."
OooOOooOO
Anna leaned against the wall and looked very casual as she looked at her brother with her arms crossed over her chest. "What's up?"
He looked around over his shoulders, but didn't seem nervous about it. "I'm not sure. I've just gotten a bad feeling today, I sense a disturbance."
The redhead nodded. "I'm afraid I don't know anything about it. I've not sensed anything." She didn't seem to be disregarding him either.
He nodded and looked thoughtful. "Just be careful. I'm not sure what's going on, but I am sure that something is up."
She frowned and looked towards her house table. "Strange, that I've not felt anything."
He looked a bit annoyed. "I'm sure."
She gave him a smirk and looked amused for a moment. "I know. The Dark Side can be difficult to see. Perhaps it is not so strange that I've not sensed anything."
Her brother seemed a little surprised at her reaction. "What do you mean?"
"I have much experience with such matters. The Sith can remain hidden, even right under our noses. My former master remained undetected for many years before the Jedi discovered him. He was among us, waiting and watching for his opportunity to strike." She pushed off the wall. "Remain on guard at all times, Harry. I believe you, but you should remember that. Just because you do not sense something, does not mean that there is no threat."
He nodded and frowned a little. "Well, I can't spend the rest of my life being paranoid either can I?"
She gave him a dark look as she walked by towards her seat at the table again. "It's not paranoia, if someone is really out to get you."
He scratched the back of his head and gave a small sigh as he turned towards his own table. "Right."
OooOOooOO
It was early evening at Hogwarts. The classes were winding down for the end of the year, and things at the school had taken an almost lazy air for the younger students as their older schoolmates struggled through the exams.
There was a bit of free time between dinner and the need to be in the common area. As it was, Anna Potter was standing on the seventh floor of Hogwarts yet again, peering into a cracked doorway that had opened up for her.
The painting of trolls attempting to dance moved on the wall behind her. The creatures stumbling in a clumsy gait. She didn't bother looking back at it as she gripped her wand and pushed the door open.
She found herself standing in a darkened room filled with dusty shelves, full of broken furniture, odd items, and dusty looking bottles of shimmering potions with an evil shimmer about them.
The young redhead ignored all of this and walked into the room in a bold stroll. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and fell on an empty bust.
She cocked her head and walked up to it, gripping her wand with a frown on her face. "What? Where?"
"Looking for something, Potter?"
Anna froze, she turned her head to look over her shoulder with a scowl on her face.
A figure seemed to melt out of the shadows, female, but with a hood covering her head. She was taller than her, and gave a small chuckle as the hood seemed to tip up a little to regard her face.
The young redhead looked at the bust again. "You seem a bit pale. Are you feeling well?"
"Very well. I've been waiting for you. Waiting for this moment." The hooded figure hissed in a whisper.
"Where is..."
"Why should I tell you? You intend to destroy it. I can't allow that."
Anna growled. "Why not? What difference does it make to you?"
Kate chuckled again in a mocking tone. "Why indeed. You've still not figured that out have you?"
The younger girl turned to face her, the wand in her hand gripped in a white knuckled fist. "What do you mean?" Her eyes were a cold glare as she frowned at the hooded figure still standing back in the shadows of the shelves between her and the doorway.
Kate gave a rough snort. "You'll just have to figure it out for yourself. The diadem is out of your reach, forever."
The young redhead growled and furrowed her brow in irritation. "I'll find it. You can be sure of that."
"Don't be foolish. I've no intention of letting you go." A red blade extended from the taller girl's hand.
Anna pulled her own up in front of her. "You don't intend to let me go?" She sounded amused.
Kate glared at her from the shadows of her hood. "No. I don't."
"What makes you think you're the one who..." Anna's confident smile turned into a small frown as the older girl stepped forward. The light of her blade revealing her face.
Kate had visible veins in her cheeks, her eyes were dark and cold, and her lips black. "I didn't come here just to gloat about stealing that from under your nose, Potter. This is a trap. You will die here and now. Nothing will stop me this time."
The redhead had gone silent and kept her blade up in defense. She shifted her leg back and kept her eyes on the older Sith.
Delane shifted her blade from left to right, but did not move forward.
Anna jumped and ducked as objects from the shelves flew off and threw themselves at her. Her attacker waved her hand, and the shelf next to her toppled, attempting to crush her. The young redhead kicked off the top shelf as it fell, and landed in the next row of shelves, only to hop as a broken wardrobe tried to slide into her knees. She hacked at the air with her wand, and two drawers fell in halves away from her.
Kate chuckled as she looked on and walked towards her in a calm manner. "My, we are nimble, aren't we?"
Anna frowned as she glared at the girl as she waved her hand towards the door. It flew off it's hinges and she made a dash for it. "I sense something...a presence I've not felt since..."
Kate tried to hack at her with her weapon, but the young redhead flipped over the strike as she passed, hacking at a small case that shook as she passed over it. The older girl growled as two spiked bludgers flew out of it as their restraints were cut and made straight for her. A moment later, both of the modified Quidditch balls were in halves on the floor, quivering with the magic energy within them, but unable to levitate any more. "You'll not escape!" She followed her prey into the hall with her weapon held high.
Anna spun around and blocked the hack in the middle of the hallway. Her eyes were hard and serious. "You've gotten stronger." She thrust her palm out into the older girl's face.
Kate snarled as her hood was blown off, but wasn't thrown back by the maneuver. "Your anger is pathetic." Her skin was a pale white, and dark purple veins could be seen on her face and neck.
Anna pushed back against the girl's blade. It was much more difficult than it had been before. She was far stronger than she had been the last time she'd faced her. "You know you can't get away with this here, don't you, Katie?"
The older sith snarled as she pushed off and spun around. "I told you before, my name..." She rushed forward as she screamed and hacked at her with her lightsaber. "...is Rage!"
Anna blocked the flurry of blows, taking steps back under the girl's fury as she parried and shifted to avoid the strikes. Her heart raced as she locked blades with her, pushing against her as the blades hissed and popped as they made contact. The redhead thrust her weight forward and shoved up and back, tossing the older girl back. "How did she get so strong? What's going on here?"
Rage rushed forward again, this time Anna met her head on, going on the attack. She could not waste the opportunity to destroy the Sith girl.
Kate snarled at her. "Pathetic." She spun around blocking a few jabs and slashes with her own blade, and countered with her own.
Anna's blade cut a gash in he wall beside them charring the wallpaper and sending small sparks as the scar burned as she steadied herself and regained her balance. Her lips turned up as she seemed to calm with a dark glare in her eyes as she looked at her opponent. "It was foolish of you to give me such an opportunity. Now you'll just be destroyed."
The older girl stood tall and relaxed her stance, holding her weapon beside her. The hallway seemed to shake, the lights flickered as Anna remained still and simply stared at her. "You underestimate my power."
The redhead cocked her head. "Do I?"
Kate gasped as the helmet on a nearby suit of armor flew at her. She hacked it out of the air and crouched a little. "What?"
The younger girl chuckled in a dark tone. "Now young Sith, you will learn the true power of the Dark Side of the Force." She raised her hand and bolts of energy shot from her fingers.
The sixth year repeated the gesture, and the energy met in mid air, crackling and stopping halfway between them in a ball of energy as the beams struggled to push one way or the other. A sharp blow struck her shoulder as a nearby vase flew off an end table and slammed into her back. She grunted, but kept her energy steady and held back the onslaught of power.
Anna seemed relaxed and closed her eyes. The chest of the armor launched itself at her opponent, along with two small tables, and a bust of an old wizard.
Kate ducked aside, allowing the energy to pass over her as she stopped fighting. She rolled across the ground, hacking the table in two, as the remaining projectiles slammed into the walls and floor, sending splinters of stone and wood onto the polished floor.
Anna was on top of her and hacked down almost before she could react. The older girl's blade blocked a strike that drove her to her knees. Her head was hung low as she fought against the young redhead's forceful push.
The young redhead gasped as the older girl looked up at her with a fire in the back of her eyes. The irises had turned orange and her lips had turned up. "Your anger is pathetic. I can taste your fear." She shoved up and the second year was tossed onto her back.
Anna rolled over her shoulders as soon as her back hit the ground and flipped, landing on her feet and putting her weapon up to counter the downward slash that almost cut her in half. The weapons met just over her nose and she grunted in effort. "What?" The younger girl's eyes went a little wide as she noticed the jeweled metal bracelet that had been grafted into the older girl's forearm. "What have you done?"
"Now, young, Potter. You will die." Rage thrust her hand forward and Anna was thrown back ten feet, tumbling across the ground. Her weapon clattered away behind her.
Kate screamed in triumph as she descended from above with her weapon pointed down in a stab.
Anna snarled and pushed her palm up. The Sith's fall was slowed, and she rolled aside. The younger girl managed to roll out of the way and her weapon returned to her hand, just in time to block another strike. The windows next to the pair blew out, and air rushed out of the hall over the grounds in a heavy and loud roar that made both combatant's ears pop.
Both of them spun apart and whipped their blades to the side as they steadied and faced off again.
"What is the meaning of this!? Stop this at once!" A loud feminine voice called out in a forceful manner from behind the pair.
"Professor, No!" Anna's eyes went wide as she turned to look over her shoulder to see Afina with her wand held over her head preparing to cast a spell.
Kate just frowned at her as the woman cast a stunning spell. Anna rolled aside and the older girl just hacked at the energy, sending it right back at the teacher.
Afina rolled aside and gasped. "What? Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you're in young lady?" The spell bounced off the wall and careened down the empty hallway behind her.
Kate put her palm up and the woman was thrown fifteen feet back on her rear. "Shut the hell up. Stay out of this."
Anna growled as she charged and hacked at her side. The older girl blocked the strike and elbowed her in the face.
The younger girl grunted as she was thrown off balance and sucked in her gut to dodge a slash as she regained herself and parried yet again. The second year pushed off and kicked the girl dead in her face.
Rage tossed her weapon and it spun by Anna's head forcing her to bend her neck to dodge it, and then hop over it as it returned to the older girl's grip. The pair collided again.
"Potter..." Afina had managed to stagger to her feet again and was pushing herself up on the edge of a table.
"Are you crazy? She's trying to kill me! Get out of here!" The redhead growled over her shoulder.
Afina narrowed her eyes and gripped her wand. "I can't do that."
Kate punched the younger girl in the face and rushed forward aiming the blade of her weapon at her opponent's neck.
"Expellimarius!" Afina tried to disarm the older girl. Rage abandoned her attack and hacked at the spell, this time knocking the teacher's wand out of her hand.
Afina growled in frustration and looked over her shoulder at where it had gone. As she turned back, she saw the tall dark haired girl right in front of her. A burning pain became apparent in her belly, and she fell into the girl's shoulder.
"I warned you." Kate hissed as she shoved her back onto the ground as she pulled her blade out of her belly.
Anna screamed in alarm. "No! Professor!" Her face contorted as she rushed forwards.
Rage turned and blocked the strikes that followed. Anna was hacking at her with fury in her eyes and a snarl on her lips. The older girl was forced to step back, but held her ground and spun around to hack at the younger girl as she raised her weapon over her head.
The older girl raised her palm and Anna was thrown back into the wall, knocking the wind out of her as she struck right next to one of the windows and slumped down a little. Her eyes turned down the hall.
Dumbledore was rushing towards the scene with McGonagall and a second year boy at his side. The older Sith snarled and raised her hand towards the scene, pulling down in a quick and violent motion. A ten foot section of the hallway collapsed leaving debris and chunks of wall and ceiling blocking the path. "We won't be interrupted again before this is finished."
Anna looked a bit winded, she was covered in dust and her hair was matted down with sweat. She growled as her weapon reignited in her hand. "Good."
OooOOooOO
Harry Potter jumped to his feet with wide eyes. The game of chess he'd been playing with Ron clattered to the ground between them. The red head blinked in surprise as his friend turned and just started running towards the exit. "Harry?"
He was on his feet and moving after him as McGonagall was almost bowled over at the entrance to the common area. Harry didn't even slow down.
The woman turned red and got an enraged look in her eyes as she called out after him. "Harry Potter! Stop this instant!" She turned and moved after him in a rush.
Ron staggered to a stop and looked on with wide eyes.
"What? What happened?" Hermione rushed over to his side, the rest of the students in the room looked both shocked and amazed. Everyone was looking towards Ron.
"I don't know. He just jumped up and started running." He moved towards the exit and walked out into the hall. "Harry! Harry!" He stood there looking at the now empty hallway and scratched his head.
Hermione and Neville staggered out behind him, with others following. Oliver Wood managed to mutter. "What happened?"
"I don't know, I'm..."
"Staying right here. Everyone back into the common area, now." Percy moved in front of the group and crossed his arms as he glared at them all.
Ron frowned at him. "Something is going on."
His older brother frowned at him. "It's got nothing to do with you. He's in serious trouble. You saw what just happened, Professor McGonagall will deal with it. Back in the common area."
Hermione looked pensive. "Oh no! He'll be expelled!"
Fred was behind her. "I hope not."
George nodded. "Yeah. That wasn't like him at all. What happened, Ron?"
Their younger brother looked a bit shocked. "He just ran off. I don't know."
Percy pointed towards the open portrait. "He'll be lucky if he's not expelled after that. You're not joining him. Back in the common area. I'll stun you if I have to." He gripped his wand and looked quite forceful.
The students shuffled back. Ron frowned at his older brother for a moment and turned away. Hermione shuffled back into the dorms just after him looking worried.
OooOOooOO
On the sixth floor of Hogwarts, Harry Potter was running as fast as his legs would go. His heart was racing as he pushed himself as hard as he could to move through the corridors.
He skidded to a stop as a pair of double doors closed right in front of his face. He almost ran face first into them, but managed to halt himself with his nose less than a centimeter away from the wood.
"Harry Potter, you are in serious trouble young man." McGonagall walked out of one of the adjoining rooms with a scowl on her face and made a grab for him.
He ducked aside and started moving away. "No time! I've got to hurry! I can't stop to explain right now!"
He ran into a long familiar robe. Dumbledore was frowning down at him and looking quite stern. "I'm afraid you've got no choice." His arm was in the man's grip.
The boy looked up at him with wide eyes and almost tried to rip his arm free. He seemed to calm and relaxed a little more. "Someone is trying to kill my sister! I...No!" His eyes went wide and he did rip himself free. He could feel something terrible at that moment.
Both faculty looked on in shock as he thrust his palm out and both doors that had barred his way flew open as he rushed away from them. "Anna! I've got to stop her!"
The two adults were running after him as he rushed away.
"Harry Potter! You are in serious trouble!" McGonagall called after him.
He slid to make a turn and looked towards him. "No time! Punish me later!" He rushed up the stairs to the seventh floor.
"Harry! Wait!" Dumbledore was not looking any more pleased.
The boy froze in place a short distance down the hall after the stairs. "No! Someone's been..."
McGonagall tried to make a grab for him, and drew her wand. She was about to try to stun him when a familiar hissing and popping came from further down the hall.
"What? That's..." She rushed along with Harry as he rounded the corner.
Dumbledore was at her side keeping pace easily despite his age. "Merlin!" His eyes went wide.
Afina was on her back on the ground before the trio. Two students, an older girl, and a familiar redhead were in the hall. Each with a sword of red light in her hand.
The older girl seemed to notice them. She raised her hand and Harry slid to a stop. He reached his hand out and pulled back, just in time to pull the woman on the ground out of the way as the hallway collapsed in front of them.
Afina slid in front of Dumbledore and McGonagall. Harry didn't stop to regard the scene, and turned down another hallway.
McGonagall was at the woman's side. "Miss Amanar! What? Who did this?"
The woman was pale and cold in her arms. She was covered in sweat and gasping for breath. There was a circular wound on her belly that was surrounded by a wet red stain. Her pale hand gripped the Gryffindor Head's shoulder. Her eyes were wide and she was only gasping with a shocked look about her.
Dumbledore peered at the wound. "I can guess what did this."
Minerva gave a serious nod. "I'll take her to the infirmary. You deal with this."
The old man gave a serious nod and moved off in the same direction Harry had gone.
OooOOooOO
Anna and Kate were locked in battle. Their weapons popped and hissed as they clashed in the hallway and pushed back and fourth.
The redhead swiped and hooked a kick across the older girl's cheek, spinning her around.
Kate managed to lock blades with her again before the redhead could take advantage and kneed her in the gut.
The younger girl staggered back.
"Enough!" Rage screamed as she hacked at the girl's weapon over and over, slamming the weapon into it as her prey was forced to her knees.
Anna tried to stand up and stab at her, but Kate spun the weapon around, tossed the strike off to the side, and slashed up in a quick and precise motion.
The second year girl screamed as she fell to her knees in pain. Her weapon, still gripped in her left hand, was sent clattering across the ground behind them.
"Now, you die." Kate sneered at her as she put her weapon under the redhead's chin. She reared her arm back and slashed at her neck.
Anna's eyes were squeezed shut, but instead of a sharp pain, another familiar popping noise filled the hall.
Harry Potter was standing with a blade of blue light preventing the slash from cutting her head clean off. "That's enough."
Kate glared at him. "Stay out of this."
The boy pushed his hand forward. "Keep your hands off my sister."
Rage was tossed back and slid on her feet away from him. She growled and charged again.
Harry stood his ground, blocking and parrying the girl's attacks.
The Sith was enraged. "She's mine! You'll die! You'll both die!"
The second year boy remained defensive, but pushed her back, further away from the redhead.
The enraged Sith glared at him and thrust her palm out. Crackling energy shot from her hand and impacted his blade. He remained calm and cool as the energy remained on the energy blade and dissipated.
Kate seemed to calm and frowned at him. She pulled her weapon upright beside her and took up a stance to attack him.
Dumbledore rounded the corner and his voice boomed across the hall. "That's enough! Stop this at once!"
Kate glanced at him and grinned. "Pathetic Wizard. This is beyond your power. Stay out of it, or you'll end up like that old hag."
The man narrowed his eyes at her. "I see. Then it was you. You are in serious trouble young lady. I'm afraid I cannot allow..."
Kate turned to look at Harry again. "Stupid old man."
Dumbledore was forced to duck back around the corner as four large hunks of the debris from the collapse of the hall slammed into the area he'd once occupied, two holes were put into the walls. "It seems we'll have to teach these pathetic Wizards that their time is finished. Now, is the beginning of our time."
"No. You're wrong." Harry frowned at her.
"Am I?" Kate seemed less than amused. "It doesn't matter. You won't live to see it!" She rushed forward and slashed at the boy.
Her intensity had grown. This time Harry struggled as he was beaten back by her fury. He grunted under the force of her blows and struggled to keep his weapon between them. She spun, he moved to block a stab, but her empty hand was thrown out instead.
The boy flew off his feet and hit the wall hard. His weapon fell from his hand and Kate rushed at him meaning to impale his chest.
A flash of red light knocked her strike away and Anna's foot was planted in her belly.
The older girl staggered back and wheeled her arms about for a moment. As soon as she hit the wall, she slashed her blade again, sending a stunning spell that Dumbledore had cast at her into the ceiling.
Anna was standing in front of her brother with her severed arm tucked into her side, and her weapon in her right hand. "You get away from him you, Bitch."
Harry had his weapon again, and Kate waved her arm to toss another hunk of stone towards Dumbledore. This time, the boy raised his hand and stopped it in mid air. The older girl snarled as she held back a burst of electrical energy from the old man's wand.
With a final snarl of frustrated rage, she looked at each of the three. "Another time then." With that, she jumped through the shattered window behind her.
Harry rushed up to it and looked down just in time to see her land on the grass below. She looked up at him, and rushed away towards the tree line.
His sister collapsed against the wall with an expression of pain on her face. He whirled around and called to her in alarm. "Anna!"
She was pale and covered in sweat, her hair matted down against her face, and dust covering her body. She gave a small whimper as she looked at the stump on her arm and managed to say, "Not again," before passing out cold.
OooOOooOO
Anna sat up and gasped. She looked about and put her hand up to her forehead. "I'm getting sick of waking up like this."
She looked about, and found she wasn't alone. Beside her, Afina was resting in the bed at her side. She was pale, and breathing in shallow breaths.
Her left arm was wrapped up and she peered at it for a moment. Her fingers were poking out of the end of a thick wrap of bandages that covered her entire forearm. She wiggled them a little and gave a small wince as the area above her wrist was filled with a stabbing pain. They had moved though.
She didn't know what time it was, and slumped back into the pillow a with care. She didn't want to jar her arm, and moving her fingers had hurt quite a bit.
Her attention turned to the table beside her bed. A vase with an arrangement of flowers was next to her with a card in it. It floated over to her hand, and she opened it. Her power made it easy, even without the use of her left hand. 'Get well soon, Cedric Diggory'.
She found herself with a small grin on her face as she looked at it.
"Oh. Awake are we?" Madam Pomphrey walked over with a smile on her face. "I hear we had quite a scare."
The redhead looked up at her and worked her mouth for a moment. She wasn't sure what to say. "I..." After a moment, she frowned. "You know, you could just ask me what happened. No need to hide. This isn't the first time the Ministry has tried this with me."
The woman paused and looked at her. A moment later, a woman in her mid twenties with long black hair and a slender body was standing in front of her. She was wearing a long black dress with a rather tight top. Her chest wasn't very large, and a silver medallion was hanging between the slight bulges. She took a pair of glasses out of a small black handbag and put them on her nose.
"Kate Delane tried to murder me, and nearly killed Professor Amanar." She looked over at the woman's bed. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has already told you that."
The woman said nothing and narrowed her eyes a bit.
Anna settled into her pillow. "Nothing to say? You're not upset I wasn't fooled are you?"
The woman's voice was stern and tense. "It's a bit irritating, yes."
"Well, I could say the same thing about being questioned by people in disguise. I'm the victim here, it's irritating that the Ministry keeps acting like I'm the one who has done something wrong." The girl frowned at the woman. The medallion hanging from her neck was the Ministry seal. The wizarding equivalent of a badge.
She nodded. "I suppose, then again, you're not supposed to notice."
The girl relaxed her eyes a little more. "I suppose I can't expect Scrimgour to show up every time something like this happens."
The woman tensed up a little and frowned a little more. "He's a busy man. Anything you'd like to say?"
"I hope you don't catch her. You've got no idea what Azkaban would do to someone like her. It would make her more powerful than you could possibly imagine." The redhead looked over at her and seemed very relaxed.
The woman cocked her eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"Who are you? Aren't you supposed to introduce yourself? I'm sure you know who I am." Anna settled herself a little more with a sense of purpose.
"I'm Inspector Manchester. Do you intend to cooperate, or are you just trying to toy with me?" She didn't seem pleased.
Anna smiled. "A little of both. What is it you want to know, Lara?"
The woman's eyes went hard. "That's Inspector. How do you know my name?"
The redhead cocked her eyebrow. "It's engraved on your bracelet. You're married, no children, left handed, you chew on your thumb, but only your right thumb, when you're thinking." The redhead put her good arm behind her head. "You don't need those glasses for anything but reading, but you like the way they look. You ride a motorbike, had Italian the last time you ate, and you're Scottish, despite living in London. Your hair is dyed, and you usually keep your hair shorter than it is now."
"How do you know that?" The Inspector growled.
"Your right shoe is scuffed on the inside from starting the bike. Your thumbnail is ragged while the rest of your fingers are carefully manicured, you've got a small spot of marinara on your dress, you're wearing a wedding ring, you're trying to fake a London accent, but your R's give you away, your roots are showing a bit, your wand is holstered on your right side, only the bottom half of your glasses are prescription, the top half is just unfocused glass."
The woman sat down on the end of the bed. "You're very observant."
The girl nodded. "Yes. What is it you wanted to know exactly? I've given you what you need to know already haven't I?"
"What were you doing on that floor?"
"Getting drawn into a trap apparently." Anna looked a bit annoyed as she thought about it. "She was waiting for me."
The woman nodded. "That's not really an answer."
"I came across an interesting painting of an attempt to teach trolls how to dance. I read about it in the library, and decided to have a look while I had a bit of free time. It was a less amusing experience than I'd anticipated." She lifted her arm up to show the bandages.
The woman stood up and frowned at her. "Well, I suppose that's all I need to know for now. We'll be talking with Miss Amanar once she wakes up."
Madam Pomphrey walked up to the scene with a scowl on her face. "Are you finished? She needs rest, there's plenty of time for questions later."
The younger woman nodded and walked away. "Interesting girl." She ignored the portly woman and went on her way. "Trouble though."
Anna frowned at her back and watched her leave. She settled back in as Pomphrey peered at her arm and lifted it up in a ginger manner. The redhead winced a little.
The woman gave a satisfied sounding grunt. "You'll be good as new in two days. Don't try and move your hand."
"I figured that out." The girl grimaced as the nurse put her arm down. "How long have I been out? Did I miss anything interesting?"
The woman shook her head. "No, nothing important. It's only been a day and a half. You should be careful. I don't want you spending the end of the year in here every year."
Anna's eyes drooped a little. "Neither do I. Not as a patient at any rate. Maybe next time it will be my brother instead?"
The woman chuckled despite herself. "I don't want to see either one of you spending the end of the year in here again." She shuffled off again towards her desk.
"Potter."
Anna turned her head and smiled at Afina. "Awake are we?"
"Wish I wasn't." She frowned and looked down at her belly. "It stings a bit. I'd rather have slept through it."
Anna lifted her arm. "I could say the same."
Afina arched her eyebrow. "What happened to you?"
The girl's brow furrowed. "Bitch cut off my arm."
The woman nodded. "Sorry to hear that. I should have done..."
"You almost died. You did what you could. You know, the job really is cursed."
Afina chuckled, but stopped and put her hand on her belly. "I suppose I should retire then."
"The Ministry will want to speak with you." The girl settled in her pillow again.
"I noticed. I've been up for a bit already. I'm in no mood to talk with them right now." She closed her eyes. "Potter."
"Yes?" The girl turned her head towards her.
"Do be careful."
The girl nodded. "You too. I like you. Retiring is a better idea than you imagine. That job, really is cursed. You might not be so lucky next time. Voldemort wanted it, and since he couldn't have it, he made sure no one else could keep it, if you catch my drift."
The woman nodded. "It was him then? Heh. I figured I was used to that sort of thing. Oh well." She settled into her pillow a little more. "I won't be teaching here again next year. However, I do think I'll be speaking with you again. Once it doesn't hurt so much."
The girl nodded. "I look forward to it."
The teacher nodded. "Glad to hear it. I'm getting some rest."
OooOOooOO
Harry gave a small sigh as he looked out the window of the train. The year at Hogwarts had ended.
He'd not gotten in trouble for what happened at the end of the year. He'd been questioned by the Aurors, and there had been a bit of a hassle about the school over the mess. Everyone knew what had happened now.
Gryffindor had won the House Cup, Slytherin had won the Quidditch Cup. The last few days had been uneventful and lazy once the Aurors had left.
Kate Delane was missing, and was now a wanted criminal. She'd vanished and no one had heard from her since the incident in the hall.
Afina had recovered, but would not be returning next year to teach Dark Arts. It was a shame, he'd enjoyed her class. She'd been a competent teacher.
Hermione was sitting beside him, with Ron across from her. Melvin was rapping on the seat with his hands and girl watching through the window.
"What are you doing this summer?" The frazzle haired girl tugged on his shoulder.
Harry seemed to snap back into the world. "Huh? Oh. I'm going to Romania for a week, and then we're touring in the US for a month in the North East with the band."
Melvin nodded. "Yeah. Should be awesome. How about you, Ron?"
The redhead shrugged. "I'm going to visit my brother Bill in Egypt. The whole family is going."
Harry felt something for a moment, but it passed. He glanced the redhead and almost said something, but shrugged it off. "How about you, Hermione?"
The girl gave a small sigh. "I'm not sure. I don't think we have anything planned. I've not heard yet."
Ron nodded. "I'm sure we'll see you sometime before we go back. I won't be gone all summer."
The mouse haired boy nodded. "Right. You know you're invited to our Birthday and all. I'll get you tickets to the show when we get back. We always finish up the tour with a show in London."
"I guess it's a tradition now." Melvin seemed to think on it. "What about you Longbottom?"
Neville was sitting quietly in the corner by the door. "Huh? I'm spending summer at home with my Gran."
Harry grinned at him. "That sounds nice. I'll get you tickets for the show too if you'd like. You can come to the Birthday party too. I'd like to see that Greenhouse of yours. If it's more impressive than the one at Hogwarts, it must be something."
The boy looked at him with wide eyes. "R-really?"
The Boy Who Lived cocked his head in surprise at his reaction. "Of course, we're friends aren't we?"
Neville nodded. "Sure! That would be great!"
Harry looked out the window with a grin on his face. Melvin and Ron had started talking, and were annoying Hermione. His mind wandered a bit as he watched the people go by outside the window.
Things had ended better than they should have. His sister had almost been killed again. Kate Delane had given her a nasty thrashing, and that bothered him. The girl was powerful, more than he expected. He wasn't so sure he could have beaten her on his own. That worried him a great deal.
Then, there was the matter of Anna. He'd felt things. Things he couldn't ignore. She'd been fighting for her life, but that didn't change what those things were. He wasn't sure there was anything he could do. Harry didn't like it one bit, but he felt helpless, and unable to do anything.
As far as he knew, he was the only Jedi. He was surrounded by danger. He had once found comfort in having his sister with him, but that feeling was fading.
He also knew, he could not turn away. Something inside him told him that he could not, or everything he loved, everything he fought for, would be destroyed. The problem was, he wasn't so sure he could stop it, even if he did his best.
"Harry? Harry? Hello?"
The boy blinked as he noticed Melvin waving his hand in front of his face. "Huh? Sorry."
The dark haired boy frowned a little. "You all right man? You looked a bit out of it."
Harry nodded. "I'm fine. Just...thinking too much again."
Melvin grinned. "Hey. Relax man. It's summer. It'll be awesome."
Despite everything, The Boy Who Lived had a feeling he was right. It brought a grin to his face. "You're right."
Ron nodded. "Yeah. I'm looking forward to relaxing while I visit my brother this summer. It should be nice."
Harry glanced at him and opened his mouth to say something. He cocked his head, slapped Ron on his shoulder, and grinned. "Bring your whip."
The boy looked at him in confusion. "Huh? What for? There aren't any stupid Vampires in Egypt are there?"
Harry shrugged. "I'm not sure. Just thought I should tell you that."
Hermione gave him a light elbow in his ribs. "Stop teasing him. I'm sure he'll be fine."
Ron just gave a small sigh and shook his head.
The Potter boy grinned at her and pushed his glasses up his nose. "You're right. He'll be fine."
Parvati walked into the car and sat down next to the redhead. "There you are." She grabbed his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
He gave her a small grin. "You're not sitting with your sister?"
She adjusted his collar. "I changed my mind. You're going to write me over the summer, aren't you dear?" It didn't sound much like a question.
He nodded. "Sure. Of course." He didn't sound much like he'd thought about it before she said it.
She gave his collar a quick tug and narrowed her eyes. "You'd better."
Harry chuckled and Melvin made silent whipping motions with his hand with a huge grin on his face behind her back. Ron narrowed his eyes at the dark haired boy a little, but didn't say anything.
Hermione rolled her eyes a bit and settled in as the train started moving.
OooOOooOO
Anna pulled Cedric behind a brick wall near the back of the train station. The boy stumbled behind her and looked a bit wide eyed as she pushed him into the wall and kissed him full on the lips.
He blinked as she pulled back and smiled at him. "Wh-what was that for?"
She poked his chest and kissed his cheek. "You sent me flowers."
He blushed and nodded. "Oh. How is your arm? That must have hurt."
She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. "Fine. See. Good as new." It was almost true. There was now a scar that ran all the way around her forearm just above her wrist. She kissed him on the lips with a quick peck again. "You're sweet. Come on, you're sitting with us again?"
He scratched his head as she pulled him along. "I guess so."
A few moments later they were on the train, and sat down in the car with Pansy, Margaret, Marci, and Ginny.
Margaret was filing her nails. "Oh. There you are."
Pansy gave a sly smirk to the redhead as she settled in and put Cedric's arm over her shoulder. The boy didn't look all that comfortable, but didn't resist either. "Where did you two run off too?"
Anna leaned into the boy and shifted his hand away from her chest and higher up on her shoulder. "Nowhere. Why?"
"You'll tell us about it later then?" Margaret blew a bit of dust off and inspected her work.
Pansy giggled. "She'd better."
Cedric remained quiet and seemed to relax a bit more.
Ginny was talking with Marci about writing her over the summer and meeting up with her. The pair had become good friends over the course of the year.
Anna seemed content and rested her head on Cedric's shoulder as the train shook as it started to move off away from Hogwarts.
Thus, another year came to a close.
OooOOooOO
Next Time: The start of the second Summer.
TBC...
Seeing as a lot of reviewers haven't seemed to notice. I feel compelled to spell it out, it's been a while since I updated this so I guess people forgot, or weren't paying attention.
Kate had Tom Riddle's Diary, and mysteriously gained Force powers and training during that time. She calls the diadem 'Master' and recognizes it's voice.
Notice a connection there?
Voldemort is revealed as a Sith Lord in this chapter. Kate has a Horcrux grafted to her arm now, that's how she got so strong all of a sudden. She now has access to Voldemort's knowledge of the Force.
How Voldemort became Sith is not explained yet. Book three's chapters will deal with it.
No, he's not the one who trained Draco either. Book three will reveal that mystery as well.
You're just going to have to wait for more information than that.