Disclaimer: ALL Harry Potter Characters belong to J.K. Rowling
(obviously). Anna belongs to ME. By the way I got to thank ToastedPaco for
getting this thing all the way here!! THANX for all your help and endless
wisdom... ;-)
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were walking down the corridor, searching for a compartment on the train. It seemed the compartments were more crowded with students this year. The three friends finally found one in the back, occupied by only an extremely beautiful young woman in her mid to late twenties. "Do you mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is full." Hermione asked, as Ron and Harry goggled at the young woman. The woman smiled shyly and nodded at Hermione, patting the seat next to her. Hermione thanked the young woman and introduced herself as she sat down. "I'm Hermione Granger. These two boys are my friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." "My name is Anna Evans. I am pleased to meet you." Anna said, with a strong American accent. The door to the compartment opened quickly, revealing a robed and hooded figure, which quickly closed the door and sat down. When the person pulled back its hood, it revealed the face of none other than Professor Remus J. Lupin. "Professor Lupin!" Hermione shrieked with joy, as she hugged Lupin tightly. Ron and Harry whooped with excitement and happiness, each shaking Lupin's hand in a warm welcome. "You are a professor, also?" Anna asked her eyes wide in interest. Lupin nodded, introducing himself. "I am Remus Lupin, a professor at Hogwarts." Lupin said, his eyebrows slowly going up in interest. "I also work at Hogwarts. I'm Anna Evans." Anna said, shaking Lupin's hand warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you." "L--- Likewise." Lupin stammered briefly, blushing slightly. "Now, why don't we get something to eat? It is going to be a long train ride this year. It is a different route, I hear." Lupin said, shaking his head. "A prisoner from Azkaban is being transferred to another prison." Lupin added, as the cart lady appeared with assorted treats. "Thank you very much, Madame." Anna said, as she received her change from the cart lady for her chocolate frogs and Bott's all flavor beans. "Delicious." Anna said, as she bit into a frog. "Can I see the card?" Harry asked. "I am so sorry. I threw it away." Anna grimaced slightly. "I had no clue you collected those." Hermione looked up from the book she had been reading, and noticed a chocolate frog collector's card sticking out from Anna's book, which was lying between Anna and a napping Lupin. Hermione glanced at Ron and Harry who were stuffing their faces with sweets. Hermione felt something was amiss about Anna. Why didn't she want Harry to look at the card? Suddenly, the train lurched and shuddered violently. Lupin awoke with a start, and was thrown into Anna's lap. "P-Pardon me." Lupin stuttered, as he blushed furiously. Lupin was embarrassed, but also relished the moment; he was lying in Anna's lap. Anna looked slightly startled, but she smiled sweetly at Lupin, and brushed away an unruly strand of hair from Lupin's forehead. Lupin didn't move, nor did Anna. Lupin suddenly realized what he was doing, and quickly sat up, embarrassed. "I will be back." Lupin quickly muttered, dashing out of the compartment, dragging his cloak with him. "Why, what is the matter with Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked, looking up from her book yet again. Anna was looking at the door where Lupin had dashed from. Anna suddenly glanced at Hermione and shrugged apologetically. A few hours later, Ron and Harry had fallen asleep and were snoring softly. Anna had finished her book, and was talking softly with the enthralled Professor Lupin. The train suddenly lurched to a stop; it was time to get off the train and into the carriages. There was a long line of carriages, and Hermione had to rush. Harry and Ron had gone ahead, without Hermione. Hermione barely caught the very last one out. She scrambled inside, and sat down. When she looked up, she had caught Lupin and Anna (--her professors!--) kissing passionately in a dark carriage. The carriage jerked to a stop, and broke Anna and Lupin's embrace roughly. Anna gasped in surprise when she caught sight of Hermione in a corner of the carriage. Lupin gasped in shock and embarrassment. Hermione merely shrugged, and smiled a weak smile. "Under no circumstances are you allowed to mention this to anyone at all, especially Severus Snape." Lupin whispered as his eyes widened and his face darkened with determination. It was time to get off, and Lupin helped Hermione and Anna out of the carriage. Before they entered the castle, Lupin put a thin finger against his lips to warn Hermione of their secret, his eyes dark with secrecy. Hermione nodded shortly, as Lupin and Anna headed into the castle ahead of Hermione.
In the Great Hall, Hermione took her seat next to Harry and across from Ron. Hermione was absolutely seething at Ron and Harry. They had left her behind. They had treated her horribly ever since they had gotten on the train. Hermione wondered to herself what she had done to Harry and Ron to deserve that behavior towards her. "I see the Potty Crew is all together again." A silky and slightly deepening voice spoke from behind Hermione. Hermione turned around to face the one and only Draco Malfoy. "Sod off, Malfoy." Ron muttered, as Malfoy glared at the three of them. Hermione frowned, and rolled her eyes to herself. Hermione looked at the Staff table, trying to find Lupin or Anna. She found Anna standing in the far corner, behind Snape's chair. Anna gave Hermione Goosebumps, the determined look smoking in her eyes. Hermione was drawn back to reality at the sound of Harry's and Malfoy's argument. Hermione rolled her eyes and left the table, sick of Harry and Ron. Hermione wandered around the castle for a long while, not wanting to face Harry nor Ron that night. Hermione wandered for hours, losing track of time until she was walking past the Staff Room, where she saw Anna lounging against the wall, her eyes studying the hall. "Hermione, what is wrong? Anything I can do to help?" Anna asked, drawing a cigarette out of a pocket somewhere, and lighting up. "I noticed that you seemed to be slightly down during the banquet. You left before I had a chance to speak with you." "Well, it's just that Harry and Ron are being jerks." Hermione said, sitting down on the floor across from Anna. Anna sat down, crossed her legs and sighed. "Boys are such jerks." "That is true, Hermione. Girls can be jerks, also." Anna said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke out of the corner of her mouth before continuing to speak. "I was such a jerk to a man that I loved, a long time ago, about the time you were born." Anna sighed sadly, as she stared at a crack in the wall next to Hermione. They sat in silence for a while, until Professor Snape turned the corner, and nearly tripped over the two of them.
"Watch your bloody self, Anna!" Snape snarled, as he looked over Anna with his dark eyes. "And put out that cigarette." Anna raised an eyebrow at Snape, challenging him. Snape and Anna locked eyes in a challenge. Anna's emerald eyes sparked slightly, while Snape's were a foreboding Onyx. The two professors stood in the middle of the corridor, staring in each other's eyes for who knows how long, until Anna dropped her cigarette and extinguished it with her boot. "That better, Severus?" Anna said as she grinned faintly, and her pierced eyebrow rose in response to Snape's dark glare. Snape raised his eyebrow back at her; as he stalked the rest of the way into the hall, and slammed open his office door. "Ooh, I'd better go make peace with Master Severus Snape." Anna chuckled, as she raised her eyebrows at Hermione. "Feel better, girl. You have experienced nothing compared to me self." Anna added in a wistful tone, as she smiled and waved farewell to Hermione. Hermione stood in the hall, watching Anna sashay down the hall to Snape's office, her cape billowing out behind her. Hermione felt herself wishing she was Anna. Anna had never messed up.. Or so Hermione thought, as Hermione walked all the way back to the girls' dormitories to sleep, to dream about being like Anna. While Hermione was walking to the dormitories, Anna and Snape were having a 'heated discussion' in his office. Snape was sitting at his desk, while Anna was lounging in the doorway. "Anna, I would appreciate it very much if you wouldn't smoke in the hallways." Snape finally began, after a long awkward silence. Anna nodded curtly. "Noted." Anna said, her mouth slowly playing into a smile. "Are you always this friendly toward Aurors, or is it just a specific dislike?" "I'm always this nice at this time of the evening after tripping over a stoned Auror and a Gryffindor in the hallway." Snape snarled, as he got up from his chair and walked to the door. "Now, I have some papers to grade, and I am positive you have some poor student to terrorize out in the hall. It's been nice arguing with you, Anna." Snape added as he showed Anna out of his office. Snape locked his office, and headed to his apartment, located deep in the heart of the castle. Anna huffed, and left to go on her rounds, cursing angrily about Snape in French.
Time positively flew by for everyone at Hogwarts. Before anyone knew it, the first Hogsmeade weekend was to be the next weekend. Students were chattering about what they planned to do, who they planned to go with. Laughter became a usual aspect of the atmosphere. It was like Christmas had come to Hogwarts. The first Quidditch match was to be held before all the students left to Hogsmeade for the day. Anna walked down the hall, talking quietly with Hermione, continuing their conversation that was rudely cut short by Professor Snape a few weeks ago. Hermione was looking at Anna with admiration written all over her face. Hermione had become closer to Anna, and decided this time was a proper time to ask Anna about the card she had hid on the train on the way to Hogwarts. "What card?" "The wizard trading card Harry asked to have. You must remember that, Anna!" Hermione said, her eyebrows rising in suggestion. Anna chuckled to herself, and swept her deep mahogany hair into a ponytail before continuing. "Well?" "All right, I could trust you. You are a smart girl, Hermione." Anna said a sad smile on her lips. Anna slowly reached into the pocket of her cape and handed Hermione the trading card. "I would like no one to have any knowledge about this, Hermione." Anna added, her sad smile disappearing, her face becoming dark, just as Lupin's had been the night of the Welcoming Feast. Hermione nodded mutely at Anna, understanding what Anna meant. Everyone had Skeletons in their closets, no matter who they were. Hermione turned over the card, and her eyes widened in surprise. Hermione didn't expect to see that on the card. not at all!
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were walking down the corridor, searching for a compartment on the train. It seemed the compartments were more crowded with students this year. The three friends finally found one in the back, occupied by only an extremely beautiful young woman in her mid to late twenties. "Do you mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is full." Hermione asked, as Ron and Harry goggled at the young woman. The woman smiled shyly and nodded at Hermione, patting the seat next to her. Hermione thanked the young woman and introduced herself as she sat down. "I'm Hermione Granger. These two boys are my friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." "My name is Anna Evans. I am pleased to meet you." Anna said, with a strong American accent. The door to the compartment opened quickly, revealing a robed and hooded figure, which quickly closed the door and sat down. When the person pulled back its hood, it revealed the face of none other than Professor Remus J. Lupin. "Professor Lupin!" Hermione shrieked with joy, as she hugged Lupin tightly. Ron and Harry whooped with excitement and happiness, each shaking Lupin's hand in a warm welcome. "You are a professor, also?" Anna asked her eyes wide in interest. Lupin nodded, introducing himself. "I am Remus Lupin, a professor at Hogwarts." Lupin said, his eyebrows slowly going up in interest. "I also work at Hogwarts. I'm Anna Evans." Anna said, shaking Lupin's hand warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you." "L--- Likewise." Lupin stammered briefly, blushing slightly. "Now, why don't we get something to eat? It is going to be a long train ride this year. It is a different route, I hear." Lupin said, shaking his head. "A prisoner from Azkaban is being transferred to another prison." Lupin added, as the cart lady appeared with assorted treats. "Thank you very much, Madame." Anna said, as she received her change from the cart lady for her chocolate frogs and Bott's all flavor beans. "Delicious." Anna said, as she bit into a frog. "Can I see the card?" Harry asked. "I am so sorry. I threw it away." Anna grimaced slightly. "I had no clue you collected those." Hermione looked up from the book she had been reading, and noticed a chocolate frog collector's card sticking out from Anna's book, which was lying between Anna and a napping Lupin. Hermione glanced at Ron and Harry who were stuffing their faces with sweets. Hermione felt something was amiss about Anna. Why didn't she want Harry to look at the card? Suddenly, the train lurched and shuddered violently. Lupin awoke with a start, and was thrown into Anna's lap. "P-Pardon me." Lupin stuttered, as he blushed furiously. Lupin was embarrassed, but also relished the moment; he was lying in Anna's lap. Anna looked slightly startled, but she smiled sweetly at Lupin, and brushed away an unruly strand of hair from Lupin's forehead. Lupin didn't move, nor did Anna. Lupin suddenly realized what he was doing, and quickly sat up, embarrassed. "I will be back." Lupin quickly muttered, dashing out of the compartment, dragging his cloak with him. "Why, what is the matter with Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked, looking up from her book yet again. Anna was looking at the door where Lupin had dashed from. Anna suddenly glanced at Hermione and shrugged apologetically. A few hours later, Ron and Harry had fallen asleep and were snoring softly. Anna had finished her book, and was talking softly with the enthralled Professor Lupin. The train suddenly lurched to a stop; it was time to get off the train and into the carriages. There was a long line of carriages, and Hermione had to rush. Harry and Ron had gone ahead, without Hermione. Hermione barely caught the very last one out. She scrambled inside, and sat down. When she looked up, she had caught Lupin and Anna (--her professors!--) kissing passionately in a dark carriage. The carriage jerked to a stop, and broke Anna and Lupin's embrace roughly. Anna gasped in surprise when she caught sight of Hermione in a corner of the carriage. Lupin gasped in shock and embarrassment. Hermione merely shrugged, and smiled a weak smile. "Under no circumstances are you allowed to mention this to anyone at all, especially Severus Snape." Lupin whispered as his eyes widened and his face darkened with determination. It was time to get off, and Lupin helped Hermione and Anna out of the carriage. Before they entered the castle, Lupin put a thin finger against his lips to warn Hermione of their secret, his eyes dark with secrecy. Hermione nodded shortly, as Lupin and Anna headed into the castle ahead of Hermione.
In the Great Hall, Hermione took her seat next to Harry and across from Ron. Hermione was absolutely seething at Ron and Harry. They had left her behind. They had treated her horribly ever since they had gotten on the train. Hermione wondered to herself what she had done to Harry and Ron to deserve that behavior towards her. "I see the Potty Crew is all together again." A silky and slightly deepening voice spoke from behind Hermione. Hermione turned around to face the one and only Draco Malfoy. "Sod off, Malfoy." Ron muttered, as Malfoy glared at the three of them. Hermione frowned, and rolled her eyes to herself. Hermione looked at the Staff table, trying to find Lupin or Anna. She found Anna standing in the far corner, behind Snape's chair. Anna gave Hermione Goosebumps, the determined look smoking in her eyes. Hermione was drawn back to reality at the sound of Harry's and Malfoy's argument. Hermione rolled her eyes and left the table, sick of Harry and Ron. Hermione wandered around the castle for a long while, not wanting to face Harry nor Ron that night. Hermione wandered for hours, losing track of time until she was walking past the Staff Room, where she saw Anna lounging against the wall, her eyes studying the hall. "Hermione, what is wrong? Anything I can do to help?" Anna asked, drawing a cigarette out of a pocket somewhere, and lighting up. "I noticed that you seemed to be slightly down during the banquet. You left before I had a chance to speak with you." "Well, it's just that Harry and Ron are being jerks." Hermione said, sitting down on the floor across from Anna. Anna sat down, crossed her legs and sighed. "Boys are such jerks." "That is true, Hermione. Girls can be jerks, also." Anna said, exhaling a thin stream of smoke out of the corner of her mouth before continuing to speak. "I was such a jerk to a man that I loved, a long time ago, about the time you were born." Anna sighed sadly, as she stared at a crack in the wall next to Hermione. They sat in silence for a while, until Professor Snape turned the corner, and nearly tripped over the two of them.
"Watch your bloody self, Anna!" Snape snarled, as he looked over Anna with his dark eyes. "And put out that cigarette." Anna raised an eyebrow at Snape, challenging him. Snape and Anna locked eyes in a challenge. Anna's emerald eyes sparked slightly, while Snape's were a foreboding Onyx. The two professors stood in the middle of the corridor, staring in each other's eyes for who knows how long, until Anna dropped her cigarette and extinguished it with her boot. "That better, Severus?" Anna said as she grinned faintly, and her pierced eyebrow rose in response to Snape's dark glare. Snape raised his eyebrow back at her; as he stalked the rest of the way into the hall, and slammed open his office door. "Ooh, I'd better go make peace with Master Severus Snape." Anna chuckled, as she raised her eyebrows at Hermione. "Feel better, girl. You have experienced nothing compared to me self." Anna added in a wistful tone, as she smiled and waved farewell to Hermione. Hermione stood in the hall, watching Anna sashay down the hall to Snape's office, her cape billowing out behind her. Hermione felt herself wishing she was Anna. Anna had never messed up.. Or so Hermione thought, as Hermione walked all the way back to the girls' dormitories to sleep, to dream about being like Anna. While Hermione was walking to the dormitories, Anna and Snape were having a 'heated discussion' in his office. Snape was sitting at his desk, while Anna was lounging in the doorway. "Anna, I would appreciate it very much if you wouldn't smoke in the hallways." Snape finally began, after a long awkward silence. Anna nodded curtly. "Noted." Anna said, her mouth slowly playing into a smile. "Are you always this friendly toward Aurors, or is it just a specific dislike?" "I'm always this nice at this time of the evening after tripping over a stoned Auror and a Gryffindor in the hallway." Snape snarled, as he got up from his chair and walked to the door. "Now, I have some papers to grade, and I am positive you have some poor student to terrorize out in the hall. It's been nice arguing with you, Anna." Snape added as he showed Anna out of his office. Snape locked his office, and headed to his apartment, located deep in the heart of the castle. Anna huffed, and left to go on her rounds, cursing angrily about Snape in French.
Time positively flew by for everyone at Hogwarts. Before anyone knew it, the first Hogsmeade weekend was to be the next weekend. Students were chattering about what they planned to do, who they planned to go with. Laughter became a usual aspect of the atmosphere. It was like Christmas had come to Hogwarts. The first Quidditch match was to be held before all the students left to Hogsmeade for the day. Anna walked down the hall, talking quietly with Hermione, continuing their conversation that was rudely cut short by Professor Snape a few weeks ago. Hermione was looking at Anna with admiration written all over her face. Hermione had become closer to Anna, and decided this time was a proper time to ask Anna about the card she had hid on the train on the way to Hogwarts. "What card?" "The wizard trading card Harry asked to have. You must remember that, Anna!" Hermione said, her eyebrows rising in suggestion. Anna chuckled to herself, and swept her deep mahogany hair into a ponytail before continuing. "Well?" "All right, I could trust you. You are a smart girl, Hermione." Anna said a sad smile on her lips. Anna slowly reached into the pocket of her cape and handed Hermione the trading card. "I would like no one to have any knowledge about this, Hermione." Anna added, her sad smile disappearing, her face becoming dark, just as Lupin's had been the night of the Welcoming Feast. Hermione nodded mutely at Anna, understanding what Anna meant. Everyone had Skeletons in their closets, no matter who they were. Hermione turned over the card, and her eyes widened in surprise. Hermione didn't expect to see that on the card. not at all!