It was about a 15 minute walk up to the gorgeous castle. It was amazing, like it came straight from a fairytale. As we walked Severus asked me if Harry and I attended primary school and I said yes. He also asked me about other times Uncle Vernon abused us. I told him this morning Uncle Vernon slapped me because I hollered. I also told him what I remember from when I was in a condition similar to Harry's. I thought I was the only one home and I was playing with Dudley's toys and Uncle Vernon saw me and beat me. I was out of school for 3 days and was unconscious for the better half of them. My teacher had asked me what had happened and I told her I had a great fall down the stairs. I think she knew I was being hurt by my Aunt and Uncle, but to support my theory that that is the way we are supposed to be treated at home, she never said anything more.
Severus had no issue showing his disgust at my extended family's actions. I was kind of relieved to be free of them. I wondered if whoever we live with now will still have us make them breakfast or other chores. I was nervous to meet this Albus. Would he care for us himself? Would he give us to someone else because Severus said he was an oldened man?
We walked up a stone path that ended at big, wooden, double doors. Severus pulled out the wooden stick again and gave it a wave. The doors opened on their own and we walked in. It was just as beautiful on the inside as out. The castle seemed useless as it was huge and empty. We kept going through a maze of corridors. We went down one that just ended and I was about to ask why we were here, but Severus muttered something under his breath and a spiral staircase appeared out of nowhere. We walked up the long winding staircase. A large door appeared at the top with a large eagle knocker. Severus didn't even bother knocking and walked right in. An old man who appeared to be 90 or older was speaking to another who appeared to be a middle aged man, plump and face red with anger. He reminded me of Uncle Vernon so much that I cringed away from his stare and hid behind Severus. The plump man noticed we were there and his red face went back to normal. He smiled at Severus and I till he noticed Harry's limp form floating mid air. The older man seemed to know who we were, but the latter didn't.
" What is this Professor? Who are these children? What is wrong with the boy?" He looked at me more closely and gasped, " It can't be! Are you Anne Potter?" How did he know my name? I didn't answer him. I only trusted Severus and Harry. Severus turned around and got on one knee. He nodded his head, telling me these people were ok. He took my hand and stood up to face the men.
" Yes, Fudge. This is Anne Potter and her brother Harry." He gestured to Harry floating about awkwardly. " Albus, if I could speak to you privately with the children, that would be brilliant."
" No, what are they doing here? They are supposed to be with their relatives. Why is the boy so injured." Fudge inquired all this, but I don't think I trust him.
" Cornelius, how about you go back to the Ministry and I will send you a letter report as to what has happened here. I may not send everything to protect the privacy of the Potters. You may not post any content of the letter in the Daily Prophet or you will regret it." Fudge glared at the older man, but did as was suggested and left giving me one last curious glance. " Alright Severus? Was it as Maria warned? Were they?" Severus nodded. Who's Maria? Wait . . . I think that's Ms. Figg's first name. What would Ms. Figg be warning them about? Is Ms. Figg a witch? I decided to voice my questions.
" Are you talking of Ms. Figg?" The old man nodded. " Is she a witch?" He shook his head. " Then, how does she know you? What did she warn you of?" The man gave me a sorrowful smile.
" My name is Albus Dumbledore. Maria or Ms. Figg as you know her by is not a witch, she is a squib. A squib is someone who has magical family, but no magic themselves. As for what she warned me of was your Aunt and Uncle's treatment of you and . . . Harry. What did they do to him, dear?" I looked to Harry and came to the conjecture he was beat with our designated beating stick.
" Um . . . I wasn't there. I was cooking breakfast for my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin when it happened and I didn't hear, so I'm assuming he used something to contain Harry's screams. He needs help. He has a 3 inch gash on his head, very deep. He has bruises and cuts all over his body. I'm guessing for the smaller cuts and bruises Uncle Vernon used our beating stick. For the gash I can only think a knife would cut that deep. Please get him so help." I begged Albus. He nodded and stood from his desk while Severus, Harry, and myself followed him. We walked through another maze of corridors and went to what looked like a one room hospital, a miniature hospital. Severus told me it's called the hospital and the lady who works there is called Madam Pomfrey and she's a healer. He told me Harry would heal faster than normal because he would be healed with magic and not naturally.
Madam Pomfrey had Harry settled on a bed and then point her wand at me. Words started floating in the air giving her an analysis of my health. She gave me a gross tasting drink that would fix my bones that had never grown back right. She had to do a lot more work on Harry and scurried around him doing spells and trying to get him to swallow the medicine she gave him by massaging his neck. I couldn't explain it, but he already looked healthier and better. Madam Pomfrey walked off to another room and came back with a plate of steaming hot food. She got down on her knee in front of me, " Now, little one, I want you to eat ALL of this. You are malnourished and haven't eaten in almost two days, have you?" I nodded and took the plate from her, ravenous. I engulfed all the food on the plate and probably would have the plate if it were edible. " Would you like more, dear?" I shook my head.
" I don't want to be a burden, ma'am. I don't want to cause you any more work. I'm not hungry," I lied to her. She gave me a sad smile and pointed her wand at my plate and more food appeared.
" Don't lie, little one. It's ok to ask for things. You are no burden." She told me this sincerely. I looked to her one more time to make sure and she nodded her head, so I dug in. While I was eating my second helping I heard the adults whispering in the corner about us, things like why is she scared to eat, were they abused, are they the Potters, those monsters! I agree. " Dear, why don't you come take a nap here on the bed beside your brother?" My facial expression must have confused her because she asked me what was wrong.
" Um… well, aren't I supposed to do chores. I'm not allowed to go to sleep until after Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia have locked us up for the night." She looked astounded and furious by what I had said.
" Dearie, children are supposed to take naps. Those evil people-. Don't ever believe a word they told you. We will take care of you. Now off to bed with you dear, you are in need of some sleep, dear." She was truly upset by what I told her, so I did as I was asked and climbed on to the bed. She pulled the covers up to my chin and kissed my forehead. She pulled some curtains around my bed to give me privacy, I guess and turned off the lamp on the bedside table.
When I woke up it was dark outside. I crept quietly out of my bed and slid the curtains open. I remembered the days earlier events. I went to Harry's bed and saw a curtain around it. I put my ear up to the fabric and heard talking.
" Come on in Anne," Severus said and it startled me. I opened the curtain and cautiously walked in to see Harry awake with Severus and Albus sitting at his bedside. They are looked at me smiling.
" Anne, this place is so cool! They've told me all about it. I was a bit scared when I woke up and you weren't there, but they just said you were sleeping. They told me that we- or that I'm a wizard and your a witch! Did you know? It's so cool. This bed is so comfy. Better than the cupboard by far. Severus said Uncle Vernon had his knickers in a twist when we left for here. This is so much cooler than Aunt Petunia's house." I smiled at Harry's excitement, so did Albus and Severus.
" Are you feeling better, Harry? I was so worried. The cut on your head was very deep. Do you remember why he beat you?" I knew I had seriously brought down the mood for the bright, childish smile that was on Harry's face disappeared. I knew we had no time to be childish, we had to stay safe and I need to know what he did to Harry.
" He caught me taking one of Dudley's toys out of his room. I thought I could give it to you for our birthday in two days. He got Aunt Petunia to hold a pillow over my mouth, so you wouldn't come up. He hit me with our stick and said since I didn't listen to him the last time he would try something different. I think it was a knife, but I don't really remember…" I pulled him into a hug and sat at the end of his bed. I caught Severus and Albus sharing a glance at each other, silently talking. They caught me looking at them and asked my if I was feeling better.
" I'm just fine, sir. I'm sorry I wasn't here with you when you woke Harry. I should have been here and waiting." I was suddenly filled with guilt. He was scared when he woke. Harry stopped me from my guilt, " Anne, it's alright. I promise I'm fine, please. I was only overreacting. It wasn't that bad." I nodded to make him think I've let it go. I had a few questions for Severus now. I built up my walls of defense before I started, " Severus, what will happen to us now? When are we going to go back home? I know we are. You don't have to lie that we won't."
" Anne, I told you that I would never let you go back and I wasn't lying. While you were both sleeping Albus and I did indeed discuss your fate. Albus here is well beyond the age to care for young children . . ." He noticed the look of dissappointment on my face and continued, " So if you both so wish, I would take you both in. Of course if you didn't want to that is fine, but if you do it will be a long trying process."
" Could Harry and I speak in private, sir?" Severus nodded and he and Ablus stood and walked out. Albus waved his wand around the curtain telling me it was a charm to keep any sound from leaving behind the curtain. I talked to Harry for probably 30 minutes before we came to an agreement. We called them back in and told them what we wish to do.