Harry led Ann out to the Quidditch pitch. It was deserted and the only place he could be sure no teachers would pop out on them. "Do you play?" Ann asked.

"Yeah, Seeker of the Gryffindor team and Captain this year. How about you?"

"No, I was never a huge Quidditch fan. I'm not really a sports kind of girl."

"What kind of girl are you?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. More of the nature-loving, scientist type, I guess. I could sit in my mother's garden and mess around with plants and herbs all day. I used to make the most ridiculous potions when I was younger. I once turned my skin the oddest shade of blue."

Harry laughed, "that must have been a sight."

"Yeah, well luckily it happened during the summer when my father was visiting. He was able to turn me normal fairly quickly."

"Didn't your father live with you?"

"No, my parents separated when I was one. I lived with my mom all my life."

"Is that why you didn't go to Hogwarts. Did you live outside of England."

"No, not exactly," Ann said slowly.

"Well what exactly," asked Harry. "You're like a complete mystery. Why are you all of a sudden at Hogwarts."

Ann looked down at the floor. "My mom died. I came to Hogwarts to be nearer to my father."

Harry felt terrible. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok."

"No, really. I know how you feel. It sucks."

Ann looked up at Harry. "That's it exactly. It sucks." Harry watched Ann closely. Her confident stride had faltered and her shoulders sagged. "My mom was sick for a while, I mean, it wasn't a shock or anything. I thought I was ready but." she trailed off.

"It's ok. I don't think you can ever be ready for something like that. I lost my Godfather a little over a year ago."

They both walked quietly for a few minutes. "So, who's your father." Harry asked trying to break the silence. "You said you came to Hogwarts to be near him. Is he a friend of Snape's." Harry was dying to know Ann's connection to Snape, but didn't actually want to come out and ask what it was.

"I don't want to talk about this." She said picking up her pace. "Can we just change the subject?"

"Sure," Harry said slightly disappointed but understanding.

Ann waited a few minutes. "You do realize that in order to change the subject, you are actually going to have to say something."

Harry laughed. "Ok." He paused.

"I'm waiting."

"I'm thinking."

"We'll never talk about anything if I have to wait for you," said Ann amused.

"Fine, then you come up with something. You have me completely off balance."

"I tend to have that effect on people."

"It's not something I'd boast about. It's very off-putting."

"My apologies. I'll do my best to reform myself."

"It's hot out here," said Harry abruptly.

"Oh God. I hope we haven't been reduced to talking about the weather already."

"No," Harry said exasperated. "I meant, maybe we should head around to the lake. It's usually cooler by the water."

"Ok." Ann agreed.

They walked slowly enjoying the breeze blowing from across the lake.

"I have to ask," began Harry. "Why were you so intent to meet me?"

"I thought I was being subtle." Said Ann.

"Not quite."

"I was just curious, I guess."

Harry felt slightly annoyed. "Isn't everybody."

Ann shrugged. "Are they?" Harry didn't answer so Ann continued nonchalantly. "I guess I was just wondering who the real Harry Potter was. I knew you couldn't be as virtuous or as cracked as everyone makes you out to be."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Half the stuff people say and write about me is a load of crap."

"I knew that. I just wondered if you leaned more to the virtuous side or the cracked side."

"So what's your verdict."

"I get the feeling that neither is an appropriate characterization."

"Oh yeah, and how would you characterize me?"

"Jury's still out."

Harry smiled. Ann was definitely one of the more direct persons he had ever encountered.

"Although, I do have to say that I never expected the famous Harry Potter to cut class. Won't the Professor be upset?"

"Lupin? Nah. He'll be more worried than upset." The realization made Harry feel slightly guilty.

"Lupin?" Ann questioned. "Remus Lupin?"

"Yeah. He's the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Said Harry smiling. "Do you know him?"

"I know of him," Ann said with a slight edge to her voice. "I'm surprised they let him teach here."

"Why shouldn't they," said Harry immediately getting defensive.

"No reason."

"No, really. Do you mean because he's a werewolf? It's really not a secret anymore, not after Snape blabbed it to everyone years ago."

Ann didn't speak.

"He has a right to earn a living you know."

"I didn't say he didn't." They both paused and looked determinably away from each other. Ann was the first to speak. "You really don't like him do you?"

"Who?" said Harry sulkily.

"Professor Snape."

"No, I don't." Said Harry matter-of-factly.

"Why?"

Harry looked at her suspiciously. "Why do you want to know?"

Ann shrugged. "Just curious."

"I think you'll find that most of the students don't like him. Except maybe the Slytherins," Harry finished caustically.

Ann's eyes narrowed. "Not a big fan of the Slytherins either, I see."

"Who is?"

"Did you ever think the Slytherins are the way they are because of the way the rest of the students treat them?" Ann snapped.

Harry paused. "You got sorted into Slytherin house, didn't you." It was more of a statement than a question.

Ann didn't respond.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean you. It's just that your lot hasn't exactly made my life easy around here. You're actually the first Slytherin who's ever managed to get through two sentences without insulting me."

"First of all, they're not my lot and second, I know a whole bunch of Slytherins went bad, but so did a bunch of people who weren't it Slytherin."

Harry nodded thinking of Peter Pettigrew and Barty Crouch Jr.

"And both of my parents were Slytherins and neither one of them turned to the Dark Arts. In fact, my mother always hated the Dark Arts and everyone associated with them. We're not all bad. It's just a stereotype. Just like not all Gryffindors are good. My mother told me that in her time the Gryffindor's were nothing but strutting bullying gits, but I don't think you're like that."

"You're right, I'm sorry." Harry sighed. "It's not going to be easy though."

"What?"

"Being friends."

"You still want to be friends then," said Ann smiling.

"Yeah, I do." Smiled Harry. They smiled at each other for a few seconds until Harry spoke again. "I think we better get back."

"You go ahead. I think I'm going to stay out here for a bit."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll see you at dinner." Harry left Ann alone by the lake, looking forward to their next meeting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kindly summarize the chapter to be handed in next week," said Professor Lupin. "Class dismissed. Ron, Hermione, please stay behind." Lupin waited for the class to leave. "Ok, you two. Where's Harry?" Neither spoke. "Is he ill?"

"No, sir," said Hermione. Lupin waited.

"Ok. I can't make you tell me, but please tell Harry I would like to see him after dinner in my office."

"Yes sir," they each mumbled and made their way to the door.

"Oh and Ron, Hermione." They turned and faced Lupin. "If it had been James, I wouldn't have told either." They both grinned and left.

The grin faded from Hermione's face almost immediately. "I told you that girl was bad news," she said angrily.

"Maybe we should go look for him?" said Ron. They headed for Gryffindor tower quickly and made their way up to the seventh-year boy's dormitory. Seamus, Dean, and Neville were lounging on their beds talking. They looked up in surprise when Hermione and Ron entered.

"Uhh, Hermione. I don't think you're supposed to be up here," said Neville.

"Never mind that," dismissed Hermione. "Have you guys seen Harry."

They all shook their heads. Hermione turned and headed back down the stairs. Ron followed quickly, calling over his shoulder, "tell him we're looking for him if he shows up."

As they headed through the common room, Ginny called out to her brother. "Hey, Ron."

"What?"

"Got some news I thought you'd be interested in."

"We're in a bit of a hurry. Can it wait."

"Sure," Ginny smirked. "Just thought you'd want to know who that new girl really is. Of course, if you're too busy."

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "Spill it, Ginny."

Ginny didn't need any persuading. "She's Snape's daughter." Then she laughed at the expressions that flew across Ron and Hermione's face. "I know, can you believe it. I didn't even know he had a daughter."

"I can't be," said Ron astounded. "Where'd you here that."

"I kinda overheard McGonagall and Flitwick talking," smiled Ginny mischievously pulling out a pair of flesh colored extendable ears.

"Taking off where George and Fred left off are you?"

Ginny smiled wickedly. "Anyway, apparently she's arrived rather unexpectedly and she's definitely in Slytherin."

"We better find Harry," said Hermione moving to the door.

"Harry? Why?" Asked Ginny.

"Hermione, we don't even know that he's with her." Said Ron.

"Who? Snape's Daughter?" Asked Ginny.

"Yeah," said Ron.

"He cut class today with her," said Hermione.

"We think he cut class with her," corrected Ron. "Look, why don't we just go to dinner. He's bound to show and we can talk to him then."

"Fine, let's go." Said Hermione.

They headed toward the Great Hall with Ginny in tow. At the entrance they bumped into Harry.

"There you are," said Hermione.

Harry rolled his eyes, "save the lecture, Hermione."

"I wasn't going to give you a lecture."

Ron let out a laugh, which he quickly turned into a cough.

Hermione made an exasperated sigh, "forget it. I'm tired of trying to keep you two on the straight and narrow. I'm going to eat."

Ron, Harry, and Ginny watched her go. "What is up with her today."

"Harry," Ron said seriously. "We have to tell you something."

"What?"

Ron looked at Ginny, "It's about something Ginny found out about Ann."

"If you mean the fact that she's in Slytherin, I already know."

"No, that's not it."

"Then what?"

"Ginny was using the extendable ears and overheard McGonagall tell Flitwick that she's Snape's daughter."

Harry stared open-mouthed at Ron. "No."

Ginny nodded, "I'm afraid so, Harry."

"I can't believe it. I was with her all afternoon. She didn't say anything."

"Mate, I agree with Hermione. You've got to stay away from this girl. She went out of her way to meet you and then she got you to cut class half a day after you knew her name. She's probably trying to set you up with Snape."

"I don't know, Ron."

"Harry, Snape hates you. She's his kid. Put two and two together."

"I guess," said Harry resignedly.

"Ahem," coughed Ginny. She grimaced and nodded at something behind Ron and Harry.

Behind them stood a thin lipped, bright eyed, Ann, who looked remarkably like her father on a bad day.