AN: Please forgive me for the late update! I have been unbearably busy. But that is no excuse… really this was the hardest chapter for me to write… blah. I think it turned out… ok. oh well, sorry guys!
Reviews are always appreciated! They help keep me inspired to write thank you to all my supporters and followers! Every one of you is appreciated!
J.R.

Draco had lead her back to their dorm after she calmed down, kissing her goodnight outside of their common room before leaving her to go to the boys dormitory. Anna fell asleep with a smile on her lips, for the first time in a long time.

Anna had to skip breakfast the next morning to make up for the lack of studying she had done the night before, so she didn't have a chance to see Draco until after lunch. It was only second period to drag on as she itched to see him… to talk to him about what had happened… Anna fidgeted in her seat, ignoring the increasingly annoying History of Magic lesson as she drummed her fingers on the desk impatiently.

The door to the classroom opened with a 'bang' starting Anna out of her daze. Alecto came stood in the doorway, a look of panic on his face as he searched the classroom. His eyes locked on Anna and he huffed towards her, dragging her out of her seat.

"Alecto… hey! What are you doi—"

"Shhhh!" he hissed, yanking her towards the door. She gritted her teeth and followed him, yanking her arm free of his only when the door slammed shut behind him.

"Alecto.."

"Not here!" He hissed, starting off at a half jog down the hallway Anna frowned, pulling out her wand and jogging after him.

They were met by a very nervous Amycus at the base of the headmaster's spiral staircase, they talked in hushed whispers in front of Anna, she could only catch fragments of their conversation.

"into the ministry-"

" harry potter-"

"escaped—"

Snape stood at his door, beckoning the two Carrow's inside, but making Anna wait outside.

The three of them spoke in low, anxious voices and although Anna tried to hear them through the door, the wood proved to thick.

It seemed like hours had passed when Snape finally opened the door, ushering of a very pale Alecto and a slightly weepy Amycus, Anna's eyes followed them as they passed, but they kept their eyes averted, they looked afraid… very afraid. Anna's stomach seemed to bottom out, and she felt their fear creep into her veins. She looked at Snape with a questioning gaze. He gave a stiff nod to her and motioned for her to step into his office. She waited to hear the door click shut before rounding on him.

"Snape… what is going on?" She asked, fighting to keep her voice steady.

Snape studied her for a moment, as if considering whether to trust her or not before speaking.

"The ministry has been infiltrated… Harry Potter and two other people escaped. Although we are not sure if others were involved."

Anna felt her chest tighten. No doubt her father was furious right now…

She looked at Snape with wide, fearful eyes.

"What… what did they take?"

"We don't know yet…" Snape said, Anna could hear the irritation in his voice, as if he was speaking to a child… and an incompetent one at that.

Anna walked over to a seat by his desk and slouched into it. He followed her example, sinking more gracefully into his own seat behind the large desk.

"What now?" She asked, he obviously hadn't called her out of class just to announce this.. he could have easily done that when she saw him later that day.

He let out a deep breath, running a hand over his face.

"Your father wishes for you to meet with him today."

Anna closed her eyes against the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

"But.. I didn't do anything." She whispered.

"I am not at liberty to discuss this with you Anna." Snape said sharply.

"You will remain here until you are called upon by him." He said, getting up and turning his back on her he ran his hand along a bookshelf, brushing over very old, dusty books until his hand stopped on one, he pulled it out, letting it hit the table with a bang as he set it down on the desk, sliding it over to her.

"Read this until you are called. I have other business to attend to." He said, giving her a piercing look before making his way to the door.

"Do not touch anything in this room, or leave before you are called. Is that clear?" He asked. Anna nodded numbly, refusing to meet Snape's eye. She heard the door slam, and the lock click into place. She was alone.

She flipped through the pages numbly, not absorbing anything on the pages than a few sentences.

What would he do to her once he got her?

She hadn't done anything…

Well… there was Draco….

She felt her stomach twist even tighter.

Oh Merlin! Did he know about Draco? What would happen to him? To them….

Anna fought off tears as images of the dungeon flashed through her head..

the pain.. the excruciating pain… she couldn't go back there again… no… she would do anything…

Her hands shook violently, threatening to spill the book onto the floor, she set it down on the desk, watching her hands. They seemed to move like a humming birds wings, thrumming back and forth with a hypnotic speed, to the beat of her heart.

Thump thump… thump thump… thump thump…

Her mark burned, drawing her out of the trance she had slipped into. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as she stood, trying not to scream… to cry… instead she pictured a blank sheet in her mind, apparating on her father's command.

She was in the same room she had met him in… all those months ago. Yet the feelings she felt towards him: fear, pain, curiosity… burned as though it was just yesterday. He was sitting in a chair, stroking Nagini. The shades were pulled tight, making the room as dark as night, the only came from the fireplace.

She did not wait for him to speak instead she stepped towards him, knowing it was expected of her. She dropped to her knees in front of him, a sob coming from her chest as her demeanor cracked.

He made a noise that may have been soothing coming from another father but from him it sounded as if he was mocking her.

"Shhh my child… why the tears?"

She was sure she heard a chuckle in his voice… he enjoyed her fear.

"I had nothing to do with it father…. I haven't done anything.. please…." She whimpered.

"Is that why you thought I brought you here? To accuse you of some wrong doing?" He asked, reaching under her chin and pulling it up so she was forced to meet his gaze. He used a rough touch to push the tears off her cheeks before pulling his hand back. Anna forced herself to keep her gaze on him.

"It saddens me Anna, that you think of myself only as a disciplinary figure… we have had our differences in the past… as do most parent/children relationships. But I like to think we are past those days… don't you?" He asked, an accusatory look in his bloody eyes. Anna nodded quickly.

He gave her a cold smile, leaning back in his chair.

"Well then, there shall be no more tears. I did not bring you here to punish you."

Anna's eyebrows shot up.

"You didn't?" She asked softly.

"No." He said irritably, obviously not liking that he had to reinforce his answer.

"After today's… attack on the ministry, I have seen some loopholes in my system. Some I am afraid, that exist in Hogwarts as well. I do not feel comfortable with my blood being so distant from me, after all, we have been apart for so long…" He reached down, brushing a hand over her hair. Anna felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I wish for you to return to your home. You will help the ministry question the order of the phoenix on their whereabouts on this day… afterwards I will inform you of your duties and the role you will play by my side."

Anna looked at him with wide eyes.

"Is that clear?" He asked sharply.

She nodded vigorously, trying to avoid his wrath.

He gave a nod to her, and the door at the end of the room opened.

"Sleep well." He murmured in Parseltongue.
Anna tried to give him what she thought would pass as a smile before turning and walking to the door.

Her room was the same as she had left it. Quiet… cold… desolate. It brought her no comfort to slip between the soft sheets and slip into a dark, dreamless sleep.