This girl will be the death of me thought Draco that night in his dormitory.
As Head Boy he had an entire suite to himself. It was spacious with dark wood furniture and green silk sheets. Some dormitories did not have the space to accommodate larger suites for their Head Boys or Girls but, when you were in the dungeons as the Slytherins were, space underground was plentiful.
He silently waved his wand to light a few more candles on his desk. Though the window in his dormitory gave a false view of the outside world, it did not allow enough light to shine through. He leaned on his desk with his arms crossed to contemplate his next move.
Anna was stubborn and had a fiery side he never knew existed before. She challenged him the night he corned her and did it again tonight asking him to trust her.
The problem was not trusting her but, she would do well not to trust him. If she finds out who he suspects she is, she would be smart to have nothing to do with him. Draco knew without a war their union would be unlikely but, with the stakes consequently high it was unimaginable.
Ignoring Anna had not deterred her from keeping away. She stared at him with defiance- something he was hardly used to. He would have liked nothing more than to put that smart mouth to better use.
There was the larger task still of protecting her. Pansy showed her hand this afternoon. She still believed Anna might be Princess Astoria despite his attempts to sway her opinion.
He would allow Anna to help though she must never know it's her own skin she is saving.
His grip tightened on the desk as he remembered staring into her large eyes and told her how he felt at the Halloween ball. Keeping his distance has been hell on earth.
He never meant to get so attached.
The next morning, Anna did not meet Harry, Ron and Hermione for breakfast. She grabbed a quick bite from the house elves in the kitchens then headed for the owlery to be alone. She sent a few letters to her grandmother already but, had yet to receive a reply. She knew she was asking a lot of questions, but after a certain age some questions needed to be asked. Her mind flashed back to Draco questioning her family history in the Hospital Wing. She still believed the very idea was rubbish and yet here she was finishing another letter to grandmother explaining what happened to Charlie yesterday and hoping for a simple explanation.
She tied the letter to one of the school owl's legs and let it take off.
With a few flaps of his wings he was off. She watched the owl soar in the morning sunlight until it was out of sight.
"I thought I might find you here."
Anna turned swiftly to see Harry staring at her from the entrance of the owlery. A dozen owls hooted around him as he made his way across the room. Anna said nothing and turned back to the cold morning air.
"We missed you at breakfast," said Harry beside her.
"I wasn't very hungry," replied Anna.
"Anna," said Harry "Listen, I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to come down on you."
"Last night was nothing to be suspicious about Harry," said Anna turning to him.
"That's true," said Harry trailing off. His eyes wandered off her face in thought.
"I don't understand what Pansy's game is."
"She's looking for the princess too and possibly suspects me because I'm so close to you," said Anna. "Do you think it was Pansy who cursed Hermione?"
"It probably was," said Harry grimly. "The princess must have something to do with whatever is going on in the Room of Requirement."
"It all fits," said Anna agreeing. Her mind turned at the idea of Pansy working on her own without Draco. What would be her motivation?
"Malfoy's piece of the puzzle is also yet to be discovered," said Harry.
"I don't think he's working with her," said Anna thoughtfully. "He told her he didn't need her help. I think she's working on her own."
"That's like Malfoy," said Harry. "He's not one to shy away from glory."
"I don't think Dr-Malfoy wants this task," said Anna carefully choosing her words. "I told you his heart isn't in it."
"Anna that's part of the reason why I came to find you," said Harry turning away from the view and back to her face.
Anna's stomach clenched with what Harry could possibly know.
"You need to be more careful. Malfoy is a master at manipulation, and I wonder if you've been spying on him too long."
"What are you saying Harry?" said Anna. She felt her face turning hot.
"I'm saying not everything he tells his supporters is true," said Harry gazing at her. "I wonder if you're starting to believe him."
Anna knew it would be pointless to press him further. He could be so stubborn once his mind was made up about someone.
"Hermione told me you were staying here for Christmas break," said Harry looking at her with a puzzled expression. "Why aren't you going to the urrow?"
"My grandmother wants me to stay," said Anna. "She's in hiding and believes we're safer at Hogwarts."
Harry was silent as he processed this information. Her reasoning was only half true. She knew Draco could not go home unless he gave his father an exceptional report on his progress. She wanted to be there for him over the holiday in case he was not welcome back.
"Alright Anna," said Harry a little sadly. "We'll miss you- I- will miss you there."
Anna smiled at her friend and he returned it.
"I know I've been a nag this year," said Harry with a sheepish grin, "but, I want you to know you're one of my best friends and if anything happened to you I'd be lost."
"Thank you, Harry," said Anna embracing him. "That means a lot."
A dozen smiling coal faces shone in the sunlight on the Hogwarts grounds. Their roughly shaped faces were part of the snowmen Draco Malfoy had built quickly with a motion of his wand. Already first years were wandering over to admire them.
Standing in his black wool coat he scowled and took aim at one snowman's cheeky grin. His head went flying across the grounds sending the first years running in tears.
Malfoy despised the Christmas season. Every year his family decorated their manor with the most elaborate decorations and dined on the most expensive foods but, the coldness from his parents never warmed him to the holiday- especially this year.
Last night he closed the perimeters of his mind once again as the coals rumbled to reveal his father's face once more.
"Draco," drawled his father Lucius. "I have been waiting a reply from my last owl for some time now. What is the status of your assignment?"
"It's moving along as planned," said Draco
"And?" hissed his father. "Who is the princess?"
"I don't know father," said Draco flatly.
"You insolent boy," spat Lucius through the coals. "You should be thankful to Merlin there is only so much I can do from a fireplace."
Draco stared back at his father masking his boiling anger with a somber expression.
"As promised, you are not welcome home until you deliver us a princess," continued Lucius.
"Are we to sacrifice an innocent girl to pay for the mistake we made?" said Draco through his teeth.
"Her fate is at the hands of the Dark Lord," said Lucius curtly. "Do not stray from your mission Draco. From what I understand Miss Parkinson has great concern about your behavior."
"What does she have to do with any of this?" asked Draco sharply.
Lucius smirked at his son's reaction.
"It seems, while you've been kissing blood traitors, Miss Parkinson has been picking up your slack," he said acidly noting his son's reactionless expression. "She planted a mask to curse the mudblood at the Halloween Ball suspecting her to be the one."
"She hexed Granger," said Draco hoarsely. His father was testing him to peel back his own suspicions but, he kept his mind closed.
"Yes," said Lucius with a whisper. "Which is why I believe you're closer to her than you think.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," said Draco challenging him.
"If Potter and the Order find her first it will not bode well for us," said Lucius ignoring him. "We will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams if you succeed. Fail and it will be I, not the Dark Lord, who will be your undoing."
With a cracking pop he was gone leaving Draco alone.
Another snowmen head went flying into the air waking Draco back to the present. As he watched it soar out of sight, he heard a soft voice behind him.
"Anna," said Draco turning around to face her. She was wrapped in a Gryffindor scarf with a red peacoat. He pale cheeks were pink from the cold and she smiled at him in an endearing way that made him pulse with need. How did she always manage to do this to him?
"I was wondering if your father had spoken to you yet?" she asked. Her tone suggested she was testing his mood.
"He did," said Draco coldly. His grey eyes traveled up towards the castle wondering if anyone could be around listening.
"And?" said Anna cocking an eyebrow. She was poised to argue for the answers she came for.
"I'm not invited back for Christmas," said Draco wanting to get back to blasting snowmen.
She blinked at him and he felt angry to be the source of someone's pity.
"Well it just so happens I'm staying at Hogwarts too," said Anna kindly. "Maybe we could do something together. I know a passage out to Hogsmeade no one knows about."
"Won't Potter miss you?" asked Draco.
"I told you it doesn't matter," said Anna firmly. "We'll go to the Three Broomsticks and discuss a plan to throw Pansy and your father off."
"Business talk on Christmas Day?" mocked Draco. He was teasing her but, he knew he couldn't say no.
He started to walk as if he were done tormenting snowmen and ready to head back inside. He stopped in front of her to stare into her eyes. His pulse quickened as he leaned into her ear.
"I'm looking forward to it," he whispered and felt her shiver at the sound of his voice. He regarded her blushing face for a moment before walking away.
Anna woke on Christmas Day feeling hollow inside. It was Christmas but, it was the first time in several years she did not race down to greet Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Gryffindor Common Room or the Weasley's family room to open presents. A stack of presents were gathered at the front of her four poster and she knew it was silly to think them leaving was a betrayal but, she couldn't help it. She imagined what Draco was feeling at this moment must be worse. She slowly got out of bed and changed into her cream Weasley sweater from last year. She was to have a late breakfast before meeting Draco at the statue of the one-eyed witch.
She didn't feel particularly nervous about leaving the safety of the castle but, then again she was used to being reckless in most of her past adventures. She was pleased to see him alone and not flanked by his usual cronies in the Great Hall. She nodded to a few Gryffindors who chose to stay behind as well. Only half of the faculty were there and she did not know why she would be surprised to see Snape lacking any semblance of Christmas cheer.
Anna got up and made her way to the third floor. She quickly glanced around to ensure no one was watching and opened the witch's hump. A panel on the wall behind the statue slid open. She waited anxiously in darkness for a few moments before light poured into the dark corridor to reveal Draco.
He pretended to wipe away invisible cobwebs as he entered.
"You have an odd taste in Christmas décor Vale," he said smirking.
"Merry Christmas to you too Draco," said Anna rolling her eyes. "Come on."
They made their way down the corridor before ending at a dirt wall.
"Where do we go from here?" asked Draco. Anna silently pointed up towards the trap door above them.
Anna raised the door above her head and peaked into the musty cellar of the Three Broomsticks.
"We're clear. Let's go," she said as she lifted herself out. Draco silently followed her lead up the stairs to the dining room floor.
"Take that table in the far corner so we're not seen," said Draco gesturing towards the small windowless booth in the corner. "I'm going to get us some drinks."
Anna unbuttoned her coat and looked around the cozy décor of the Three Broomsticks. A Christmas tree nearby twinkled amongst its rustic ornaments. There were so many memories of spending time with friends here she could hardly believe it was their last Christmas at Hogwarts.
Draco returned to interrupt these thoughts with some butterbeers and snacks from the bar area.
"I told the bartender I could bring these over myself too," said Draco placing the snacks down.
"Why?" said Anna. "Where is Rosemerta?"
"Off for Christmas Day," said Draco. "He's afraid to be in the presence of a Death Eater for too long though it works for me as long as we get privacy."
"That's it," said Anna slowly.
"What's it?" said Draco taking the seat opposite hers.
"Let them think you're working for Voldemort when you're really reporting to us," said Anna. "Talk with Dumbledore tomorrow and we can get you set up with the Order."
Draco stared back at Anna.
"A double agent?" said Draco. "I don't suppose you know how hard it is already to close my mind off to him and the others."
"Yes," said Anna slowly considering this. The idea of Draco in even more danger made her almost want to take the words back. "Unless there is a way the Order can guarantee your safety and ensure steps to protect you. Draco, Dumbledore is brilliant. You can put your faith in him."
Draco's cool stare softened as he continued to stare at his reason for betraying everything he had ever known.
"Alright," said Draco softly. He then smirked at her. "After all, I did learn from the best."
They laughed and Anna noticed the comfortable silence between them. The resolve of the journey he would embark upon to disobey Voldemort and save the princess was just the start. Anna knew she would have to get Harry on their side eventually to get the Order's full support.
The sudden crackling of the fire released her momentarily from these mounting anxious thoughts. She lifted her tankard to toast Draco.
"Merry Christmas Draco," said Anna smiling.
He smirked and toasted her in return. "Merry Christmas Anna."
They drank deeply and Anna wondered how she got here, spending Christmas with her school bully and tormenter. Something was so very different about him this year. It seemed the more she uncovered, the more she felt tethered to him.
"Are you alright Anna," said Draco raising a brow. "You look very deep in thought."
"Oh, I'm fine," said Anna feeling silly for being caught by her emotions again. She felt a blush slightly spread across her cheeks. He knew how to read minds but, he couldn't just read minds whenever he wanted could he?
Judging by his stare and smirk he might as well have been in Anna's eyes.
"It's very nice in here isn't it?" said Anna changing the subject to look around at the decorations.
"Yes," said Draco agreeing. "It's very cozy."
"I'm sure you've seen much more grand and elegant decorations," said Anna glancing down at her drink.
"I have seen luxurious displays but none so beautiful as what's in front of me," said Draco staring at her.
"Draco-," said Anna feeling her voice catch in her throat.
"I wonder if there is a table where we may find some privacy," said a cold deep voice at the front of the bar. Anna and Draco looked at each other in horror at the sound of Snape's voice.
With a flick of his wand, Draco raised the nearest Christmas tree and placed it right in front of their corner of the table. They both hid underneath the tablecloth as Snape's long robes came into view from below as well as Professor McGonagall's, Sprout and Flitwick's. They were in the wrong place at the very worst time to run into a group of teachers. Unfortunately for Draco and Anna the professors chose a table very close their own. There was no escape. Anna dared not breathe but, closed her eyes to listen to their whispers better.
"As I was saying before at the castle," said McGonagall sternly. "I don't understand why you would be such an authority on the subject of the princess."
"Dumbledore trusted me and continues to do so," replied Snape a little snidely. "Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you know how that came to be."
Anna could feel Draco's warm breath on the back of her neck, hanging on to every word.
"I played my part well, serving the Dark Lord and repeating any news I heard to Dumbledore and the palace," said Snape briskly. "At the time of his Majesty and the Queen's death I was simply at the right place at the right time to accept the infant from the Queen before she perished."
"You left her to die," said Flitwick accusingly.
"I had no choice," said Snape harshly sending a shiver down Anna's spine. "Had I stayed, the princess would have died, and I would have died a traitor's death."
This explanation must not have been enough for the other three Heads of Houses because Snape continued.
"Of course, after his Majesty was killed the Dark Lord was not yet aware of my presence. I used that time to lead the Queen and myself to the courtyard to escape but, she seemed to have already accepted her fate," said Snape. "She held them off just as I apparated outside the palace grounds."
"What did you do then with the princess," said the round voice of Professor Sprout.
"I showed Dumbledore I could be trusted by handing the princess over to him," said Snape. "Had I delivered her to Lord Voldemort I would have been rewarded beyond my wildest dreams."
McGonagall's voice sounded as if she wasn't ready yet to give Snape a gold star.
"Very well, I know that part of the story." she said, "What happened to her after?"
"She is at Hogwarts currently," said Snape rather reluctantly.
"You know no more than we do about her whereabouts," said McGonagall sharply. "I had certainly hoped for more than legends when we came to meet with you today Severus."
"Any ideas of who she may be and why she is in danger?" said Sprout in an even tone. "We've enough on our hands with Mr. Potter already."
"Potter has zero of the capabilities to summon the ancient magic bestowed upon the princess," said Snape maliciously. "The Dark Lord is correct to fear powers he can never possess himself. The prophecy states Potter will use her to defeat the Dark Lord."
"She'd be in her seventh year I would think," mused Flitwick. "I've had a lot of brilliant students in their year. Did you not say Minerva that Hermione Granger was attacked at the Halloween Ball."
"I did," said McGonagall, "Anyone able to perform that type of dark magic had an obvious purpose"-
"For the last time it was not me Minerva," said Snape abruptly interrupting her. "Miss Granger was the target of a very dark curse. We believe whoever enchanted her mask was hoping she was the princess."
"And? Is she?" said Sprout hopefully.
"No," said Snape.
"Is there something else you know Severus?" said McGonagall. "How can you be so sure?"
"Oddly enough Minerva yes," said Snape coldly. "Queen Evangeline used to wear a star shaped necklace all the time when I appeared at court. It would change colors as a warning or reflection of the state of the environment she was in. I had never seen anything in its likeness until the night of the Halloween Ball. A girl was wearing it at the ball."
"Severus for Merlin's sake why didn't you say something sooner," said McGonagall.
Anna heard Draco sharply inhale his breath and she looked up at him. He did not return her gaze and his jaw was clenched.
"I was not sure at the time it was the same necklace," said Snape sounding as if he were not used to his thoughts being questioned. "However, as time goes by, I realize it must have been her. The enchantment for the ball makes it difficult for me to place the face or hair and my memory. All I remember clearly is the pendant around her neck."
"How curious," said Flitwick.
"We must have saw her that night you just aren't thinking clearly," said McGonagall.
"Perhaps," said Snape slowly. "If not, at least we can take comfort Dumbledore knows who she is."
Professor Sprout muttered something about getting back to the castle and Anna heard them shuffle their chairs to leave. Anna and Draco stayed underneath the table for a full five minutes before emerging.
"Wow," said Anna turning to Draco. "I had no idea Snape was a part of Princess Astoria's story."
"Neither did I," said Draco stone-faced. "Let's head back to school."
They were silent the entire journey back. Anna occasionally glanced over at Draco whose face seemed tortured. Once they reached the one-eyed witch Anna felt a pang of sadness at the idea of leaving him.
"Thank you, Anna, for everything today," said Draco taking her hand. "It has been the best Christmas I've ever hand in a very long time."
"Will I see you after the feast?" said Anna trying not to sound too concerned.
"I will find you afterward," said Draco kindly. "There is something I must do."