The pale moonlight reflected onto the dark lake surrounded by evergreen bushes. Through the winter's night a purple hooded figure ran on the pebbled path closely flanked by another figure in blue.
At this hurried pace the figure in purple's hood fell to reveal an attractive woman in her thirties. The full moon reflected on her light almost pore less complexion. She turned to the taller figure following at a slightly slower pace with long strides and hissed, "Hurry!"
In her tightly clutched arms she held a dark blue blanketed bundle. The woman could feel the cold air of winter through every breath she took and prayed she would not slip on a patch of ice in the darkness.
The pair's urgency brought them to a set of stone gates on the outward most corner of the garden.
"Your Majesty," the second figure finally spoke with a long drawl. "Apparate with me to headquarters. There isn't a moment to lose as they must be right behind us!"
Her Majesty, the queen, narrowed her pale green eyes at the hooded figure and turned to look at the bundle in her arms. A sleeping baby. The moonlight barely touched the little sweet face sleeping even now in the bundle. The queen slowly closed her eyes, sighed and looked at the hooded figure again.
"This time I'm afraid I cannot," she said. "You must take her and lead her to safety. My place is here with my King and my people. I will not run forever from Voldemont for he has tracked my family and will not rest until my line has ended. "
The hooded figure started to speak but, just then an additional four hooded figures appeared wearing skeleton masks.
"Death Eaters," cried the queen as she thrust her baby into the other figure's arms.
"Go," she said. "Do not shrink from your duty. Protect my little girl."
The figure started to run for the gates. As they crossed to apparate to safety, the figure blindly looked around the corner to see Her Majesty being engulfed by Death Eaters. As scene started swirling before a sound so cold went up the figure's spine: the crisp soft laughter of Lord Voldemont as he greeted his next victim.
"Well goodbye grandmother I'll miss you!" exclaimed Anna Vale. She waved to her short grandmother who was waving back with one hand while the other supported herself on her cane.
"Be careful child," she remarked "And I don't want to hear one word from the headmaster this year about you – NOT ONE!"
Anna giggled and replied, "See you next year!"
It was true Anna and her friends did have a reputation for always being in the thick of danger. The end of every school year with her three best friends Harry, Ron, and Hermione always seem to mean a showdown with Voldemont somehow even if it wasn't actually him.
Anna rolled her shoulders and tried to remove these thoughts as a steaming bright red train called the Hogwarts Express came into view.
This year will be different, she thought to herself. After all this would be her last year at Hogwarts, a place she had called home for eleven years now. Nothing new she couldn't handle.
Anna watched first year students embrace their parents as multiple owls swooshed by them in the air. She wondered after all these years what it would have been like, just for once, to have her own mother and father send her off to Hogwarts as if she were part of an ordinary family.
"Anna, come on the train leave in ten minutes and you haven't even changed yet," said a bushy haired girl from behind.
"Hermione!" Anna exclaimed hugging her tightly. "I've missed you so much. Did you get my letters?"
"Yes, all of them," replied Hermione breaking the embrace. "Why didn't you meet us at the Burrow when I wrote to you two weeks ago?"
"I couldn't, my grandmother needed me. You know how strict she is," said Anna as she climbed aboard the train.
"I know, but you've missed so much with the Order," Hermione whispered as they crept down the train corridor. She stopped suddenly and turned to a compartment. "I'll have to have Harry help me fill you in."
Hermione slid the wooden compartment door open to reveal two young men in black robes. The first, a taller red head was none other than Ronald Weasley. He got up from his seat and hugged Anna then she turned to hug the shorter young man with messy black hair.
"Anna it's so good to see you," exclaimed Harry as he gave her a friendly hug.
"You're telling me Harry," said Anna. "The two of you must have grown a foot over the summer."
Harry grinned sheepishly and ran his hand through his messy hair revealing the infamous lightning bolt scar on his forehand.
"You missed a lot mate," said Ron to Anna. "Why didn't you come to the Burrow with us? We went down to Diagon Alley and it was a bloody mess."
"It was?" asked Anna. "Listen, I couldn't go because my grandmother needed my help. You know how overprotective she can be."
"We do Anna," said Hermione, "but what is she going to do when you've left Hogwarts. This is our last year you know."
"Hang on," said Anna ignoring her. "What were you saying Ron about Diagon Alley being a ... mess?"
The four friends slowly sat down on the compartment benches to face each other.
"Well Anna," said Harry in a hushed voice. "It seems as if Voldemont has taken over the place. The whole alley is shut down. Everyone is afraid they'll be next after Olivander disappeared."
"And the ministry?" prompted Anna.
"They've resorted to using dementors everywhere," said Hermione. "They'll even be outside of the castle perimeter for our protection."
Anna looked out the train window to the dark countryside. Everything was tense in the wizarding world and she knew it was impossible for her and her friends to stay out. They have risked everything for each other these past six years and this final year would bring even worse dangers.
Harry was the first to break the silence. He looked at Anna and whispered, "At least you didn't have to endure these two playing mind games with each other."
Anna giggled.
"What's so funny?" asked Hermione cautiously.
"Oh nothing," replied Harry. As Ron's cheeks started to turn red Anna thought it would be best to change the subject.
"So even though I missed being with you lot this summer I did hear some good news from Hogwarts," said Anna digging into her pocket. She brought out a Head Girl badge gleaming under bright red and gold colors.
"Wow Anna that is good news," said Hermione with a little sniff. She was always used to being first in everything, but because her best friend was both beautiful as she was brave and kind, she did teach Hermione indirectly over the years that it's okay not to be first place in everything.
"Wicked," said Ron who also became Head Boy for Gryffindor. "Can't wait to see what we can get away with having these."
"You will not," said Hermione firmly. "In fact, if you're going to break the rules please do so only when we need it. A lot of things are tense right now..."
Ron scowled. Hermione starred at him with thin lips.
Harry gave Anna a wink and said, "You'd better change into your robes Head Girl. We'll meet you outside the train.
Anna rolled her eyes at Harry and got up to leave the compartment. She brushed past a few third year Hufflepuffs in the hallway. In the changing rooms she could feel the train start to slow down beneath her feet. A rush of excitement suddenly lifted her spirits as if she was a first year all over again. She bolted from the changing rooms and noticed the rush of students pouring out from every compartment door.
She maneuvered past masses of groups until she was firmly on the ground looking for her friends.
Looking at the hundreds of robes Anna tried to see if she could make out any of them, but she mistakenly bumped into someone from behind who nearly tripped walking.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Anna abruptly and to her horror she realized the student she tripped was none other than her enemy Draco Malfoy.
"Why don't you watch where you're walking blood traitor," said Malfoy turning to face Anna.
His piercing grey eyes met hers and she was paralyzed as they took her in. She always remembered Malfoy as a cold git if there ever was one but, she had never been so close to him to notice how those eyes could stare into her very soul.
She noticed he was taller than last year and had a more muscular build. His platinum blonde hair fell freely around his face highlighting his masculine chin and sculpted cheekbones.
Malfoy smirked looking down at the young woman whose appearance also changed greatly over the summer. Her 5'3" thinly framed body gained curves around her hips as her golden-brown hair was longer and accentuated her pale green eyes.
Malfoy, always quick to recover, broke his gaze and said, "Perhaps you could also excuse yourself and the rest of the blood filth population you associate yourself with for their unworthiness to be here as well."
"They have every right to be here as you do Malfoy," said Anna tersely. "Those mudbloods as you call them are witches are wizards like yourself – capable of the same magic."
"Perhaps more," she added.
Malfoy smirked at her. A crowd started to gather knowing the relationship between these two. Harry emerged from the crowd beside Anna.
"I think it'd be best if you left Malfoy. My patience is wearing thin with Death Eaters," said Harry drawing his wand.
Malfoy looked lazily at the wand and back at Anna. He dared not look into her eyes again and laughed at Harry's draw.
"Potter, I see you're taken with blood traitors. First Weasley now this one. However, I've also noticed you haven't seen my badge here."
Anna gasped in horror as Malfoy pulled out his prefect badge and attached it to his broad chest. He looked at Harry's raised wand again and said, "Let's see, that will be 10 points from Gryffindor for drawing your wand on a prefect Potter."
He slowly started to walk past Harry and Anna towards the boats to meet the first years.
"Oh," said Malfoy and he turned to face the two. "I'd be careful if I were you Potter because I will be watching this year." He gave Anna a final glance and disappeared into the crowd of students.
Harry and Anna walked quickly in silence back to Ron and Hermione. Ron was waiting for Anna to meet the first years at the boats.
"Where have you two been?" asked Hermione with a disapproving frown.
"Head Girl over here had a run in with Malfoy," Harry teased. "He's Head Boy this year. Why Dumbledore would appoint him I don't know."
"Well at least nothing became of it,'' said Hermione glancing over at Anna.
"Of course, not Hermione we're starting the year off right," said Harry forcing a grim smile. "Ten house points in the negative."
As they crossed the black lake, Anna peered into the dark depths of the glassy looking water and lost herself what happened with Malfoy this evening. She couldn't believe she actually admired how handsome he was right in front of him! Hopefully he didn't notice, she thought to herself. Yes, it would be wrong to have a crush on one of your worst enemies especially someone who Anna was brought up to believe was evil. She tucked the feeling in the back of her head as they glided along to the shores of Hogwarts Castle.
As students started packing the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Anna found their usual places at Gryffindor table. They watched as eager first years tried on the sorting hat one by one and each house applauded in turn to every new member.
However, the first feast of the school year wasn't all tradition and light heartedness. Anna could hear the whispers around her of students asking one another what they knew and if they believed Harry was the so called Chosen One.
"My parents thought it would be alright to send me back to Hogwarts," said Seamus Finnegan to Dean Thomas, "though if it wasn't my last year I don't know if the risk would be worth it."
"Your parents were right to send you here despite the added security," said Neville Longbottom to a small scarred looking first year Gryffindor.
Hearing all these thoughts at once, Anna wanted to drown them all out. She knew the danger Harry would be in and couldn't bear to think of the ultimate showdown that she knew in her heart must happen. She looked over to the Slytherin table for an outward clue for darker days ahead.
Her heart did an unexpected flip flop when she saw Draco Malfoy speaking calmly to his friend Blaise Zambini, another seventh year from Slytherin House. Anna noticed their conversation become more earnest as they started bowing their heads together. The sudden arrival of a pug faced girl named Pansy Parkinson between them alarmed Anna and she quickly looked down to start enjoying her dinner.
As Anna and Ron finished their first year tour of the Gryffindor common room, they noticed Harry and Hermione waiting for them by the fire. The long trip to Hogwarts had sent most students right to bed after the feast.
Harry started to pace before the fire.
"Mate, aren't you exhausted?" asked Ron to Harry. "We've got all year to kick arse. Can't we try to get at least one night of sleep before we start wandering the halls?"
"Malfoy gave me an idea," said Harry ignoring him. "He said he would be watching us this year but, it's us who should be keeping an eye on him and all our other enemies here."
"Harry not this again," said Hermione. "Malfoy…"
"-Malfoy?" interrupted Ron. "He may be racist but, I doubt he has the stamina to be a Death Eater."
"He's up to something," insisted Harry. "If not him then his father. The closer we get to him the more we'll know what's happening at Malfoy Manor and what dear old Lucius is up to."
"How are we going to get closer to him?" asked Anna. "He hates our guts."
"You'll keep tabs on him," said Harry.
"Me?" squeaked Anna. "Why me? What will the rest of you be doing?"
"I need Hermione to help me watch Snape," said Harry "And Ron will be helping you but, I need him to also watch the other Slytherins like Parkinson and Zambini."
Ron made a salute gesture.
Anna's mind began to race lightning fast thinking of how she could possibly get information out from Malfoy.
"I'm sure I'll think of some way to convince my worst enemy to spill his deepest secrets," said Anna sarcastically. "In the meantime, I'm going to bed."
"That's the spirit," said Harry following the three of them up to their separate dormitories.
As Anna got into her dormitory, she noticed Hermione had already stolen the shower. She went to her desk and started a new letter to her grandmother as she had requested. Anna always wrote once a week to know she was safe.
Hermione's right thought Anna. What will my grandmother do when I leave home at the end of this year?
Anna put the thought of her overprotective grandmother out of her mind and finished her letter. She climbed into her four-poster bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep.