Both Harry and Ann looked to the evening with anticipation. Neither Hermione or Ron were talking to Harry and Ann hadn't really made friends with anyone except Harry. Her fellow Slytherins were amicable, but like all true Slytherins were wary of extending the hand of friendship too soon.

Harry met up with Ann by the lake just as they arranged and then walked to Hagrid's cabin together. Harry knocked on Hagrid's door and could hear Fang barking. "Out the way, Fang," Hagrid yelled and then the door was flung open.

"Hello Harry."

"Hi Hagrid." Smiled Harry.

"Come in," Hagrid said and opened the door wide. Harry and Ann walked in and Harry sat in one of the overlarge chairs around Hagrid's table. Ann stood awkwardly looking around at the cabin. "So, how are yeh doin?"

"Fine," said Harry. "Hagrid, this is Ann."

"Hullo, Ann."

"Hi," said Ann uncharacteristically shy all of a sudden.

"Ann's new at Hogwarts," Harry supplied.

"I know," said Hagrid smiling. "So you're Mary's daughter."

Ann's face brightened. "You knew my mother?"

"Of course. She was a nice girl, here at Hogwarts."

Ann smiled wickedly. "You mean for a Slytherin?"

"Oh, no. Err. That wasn't. I mean." Hagrid's face turned red. Harry smirked. He found the way Ann made people feel off balance funny.

"I was only teasing," Ann admitted.

Hagrid laughed. "Yer just like yer mother."

"Did you know her well?"

"Of course. She came round my cabin all the time with Remus. Those two were inseparable."

Ann colored, but Harry sat straighter in his chair. "Ann's mom knew Professor Lupin?" Harry looked at Ann almost accusingly.

"Oh yeah, they were quite the cute little couple."

"Hagrid, were those crabroot weeds in your garden?" Asked Ann abruptly changing the topic.

"Oh, err. yeah. They are."

"They're really rare. How did you get them?"

"I umm. traded for em."

"Do you mind if I go take a closer look?"

"No, help yerself."

Ann left the cabin quickly and went to examine the weeds. She kneeled onto the soft earth and touched the leafy plant gently.

"Harry," began Hagrid seriously, now that they were alone. "Ron and Ermione came to see me earlier."

Harry rolled his eyes. "They still made?"

"No, not mad. I'd say they was worried about ya."

"Worried about what? Ann? They just don't like her cause she's in Slytherin."

"Maybe, but there was a time not too long ago when you would have shared them feelings."

"Yeah well Ann's different. She's not like the rest of the Slytherins."

"Now, that's where you're wrong Harry. Ann is a Slytherin and, now I'm saying nothing against her, but Slytherins are like each other. Just like Gryffindor's are similar to each other and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are. That's not to say that all Slytherins are bad, mind ya. Mary, Ann's mother, never went to the dark side."

"Then what's wrong if I'm friends with her."

"Harry, you have to understand. It's always been difficult for Gryffindors and Slytherins to get along. Probably because both groups are natural leaders."

"But you just said Remus and Ann's mum were a couple. You said they were inseparable."

"They were, but you'll notice who she married."

"Snape," said Harry blandly.

"That's right," nodded Hagrid. "Remus and Mary were very close. I think they might of even been in love, but it wasn't easy. Yer own father and godfather gave him a hard time about her."

"Is that why they broke up?" Asked Harry.

"Don't know. Never knew what happened between em."

"Ann doesn't like Professor Lupin much," said Harry simply.

Hagrid raised his eyebrows but didn't venture an opinion.

"She won't tell me why," continued Harry. Their conversation was interrupted by the return of Ann.

"You should tell my father you have those, Hagrid. Crabroot weeds are useful in a lot of different potions," she said.

"Yeah, I'll do that," said Hagrid. "So Ann, how do you like Hogwarts so far?"

"It's not too bad. I've only had one days worth of classes, but they seemed interesting enough."

"Good, good. Will I be seeing you in Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Do you teach that class?" Asked Ann surprised.

Hagrid swelled with pride. "Yep, for the last five years."

"Oh. Well, I'm not actually taking that class, but I must say I'm a bit disappointed now. I wouldn't have minded so much if I had known you taught it," said Ann charmingly.

Hagrid went a bit red from the praise.

"Although I imagine, you're better off not having me in class. I never took to animals. I don't think I could keep a flubberworm alive for very long."

Harry nearly laughed thinking back to his third year and the batch of flubberworms they had fed to death. Hagrid tried to convey his disappointment that Ann would not be in his class, but secretly was relieved. In his opinion, a child who couldn't even keep a flubberworm alive had no business around bigger more interesting creatures. He thought in horror of what might befall his own beloved blast-ended scroots around such a person.

They chatted amiably for a full hour before Hagrid remembered some duties he had to attend to and Harry and Ann went back to the castle.

"I like him," said Ann almost immediately. "My mom told me a bit about him, but in her days he was only the gamekeeper."

"Yeah, he still is. Dumbledore gave him the additional job during my third year."

"Dumbledore's a pretty great wizard, isn't he?" Said Ann suddenly serious.

"Yes," said Harry.

"My father thinks very highly of him. So did my mother."

Harry looked at her curiously. He wasn't sure where she was going with this.

Ann continued. "Do you know Dumbledore very well?"

"I guess. I mean, as well as anyone knows him. There's a lot about Dumbledore that's a bit mysterious."

"Do you think he's honest?"

"Ann, what kind of a question is that? What are you getting at?"

They had reached the castle and were walking near a group of giggling second year girls. "Let's not talk here," said Ann quickly.

Harry looked around and spotted the staircase that led to the astronomy tower. "Come on," he said leading the way up the staircase.

When they had reached the top of the tower Harry crossed his arms and looked pointedly at Ann. "Ann, every time I think I've got you figured out, you throw a curveball at me. Can't you just be honest with me, about everything."

"That's asking a lot," said Ann.

"Why don't you start out small."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, tell me why you don't like Lupin," said Harry.

"That's complicated," said Ann quietly.

"Go slow," insisted Harry.

Ann sighed deeply. "You won't tell anyone? I don't really want the general population knowing my personal family history."

"I hoped you realized that you could trust me by now."

"I think I trust you," said Ann honestly. "I want to trust you."

"Then start out small. Tell me a little secret and I'll tell you one."

"A little secret," said Ann regaining her characteristic smirk.

"Yeah," said Harry smiling.

"Ok, I'll have to think." Ann bit her lower lip, thinking. "Oh, I can't think of anything. You go first."

Harry smiled. "When I was twelve I helped make an illicit potion using stolen ingredients from your father's private stores. Well, I didn't actually make the potion, but if your father knew, my life wouldn't be worth much."

Ann laughed. "I knew you had a wild side before I met you."

Harry laughed too. "Come on, I've said mine. Now you say yours."

Ann grew serious and hesitated before blurting out. "My mother was engaged to Remus Lupin."

Harry's mouth dropped open. "Engaged? He never told me."

"I'm not surprised," she said bitterly.

"What happened?"

"He broke the engagement because he believed a lie some of his friends told him."

"What did they tell him?"

"They told him my mother was a Death Eater."

Harry felt sick. He wished he had never asked Ann to be honest with him. He knew who the "friends" Ann was talking about were. Hagrid had said that Sirius and his father hadn't approved of their relationship. He just couldn't believe they would lie. "Are you sure they were lying?"

"My mother was not a Death Eater," Ann shouted.

"I'm not saying that," said Harry quickly. "But, maybe there was some kind of mistake."

Ann narrowed her eyes. "How could there be a mistake. His friends didn't like her just because she was a Slytherin and they told him the one thing that would make him abandon her. But then he couldn't even let her be happy with my father."

"What are you talking about?"

Ann's eyes filled with tears. "When I was seven he came to see my mother. I was hiding in the closet and I didn't hear everything, but what I did hear gave me more than enough reason to hate him for the rest of my life."

"Why?" Asked Harry.

"Because he was the reason my mother left my father. He's the reason I grew up without a dad."

"How could he be the reason?"

Ann crossed her arms. "I just know he is. You're close to him. Why don't you ask him why he ruined our lives."

"Ann," began Harry. "Consider that you don't know all the facts."

"I may not know all the details, but I know enough. You can't defend him to me so don't even try."

"All right," said Harry raising his hands in defeat. Then he recalled something she had said earlier. "But what does all this have to do with Dumbledore? You asked me earlier if Dumbledore was honest. What was that about?"

Ann went over to the window and gazed out. It was dark outside and the stars were shining clearly overhead. "I think he knows things. Things I want to know."

Harry walked over to where she was and stood close to her, watching her face. "What things?"

"I want to know why my father left. I want to know what Lupin told my mother to make her kick him out."

Ann looked back at Harry who turned away uncomfortably. "What?" She asked.

"Nothing," said Harry softly. After a few seconds he continued. "I think you should talk to your father."

"He won't tell me. Harry, all of this happened before I was even born. Do you have any idea what it's like having your entire future decided for you before you're even born?"

Harry smiled sadly. "I think I may have an idea. But, I think Dumbledore will tell you the same thing I told you."

"You mean ask my father."

"Yeah."

Ann turned so she was facing Harry. "Will you ask Dumbledore for me?"

"Me?"

"Please, Harry. I have to know."

"Ann," said Harry hesitatingly.

"Please," she begged. "Please."

Harry sighed. "What if I find out something you don't want to hear?"

Ann looked down. "I don't know," she mumbled.

Harry sighed again. "All right. I'll see what I can find out."

Ann reached out and pulled Harry into a tight hug. "Thank you, Harry."

Harry blushed as Ann pulled away and looked into his eyes. She leaned in and kissed him softly.

"Ann," he whispered breaking the kiss.

"What," she said softly pulling him back to her and kissing him again.

"I forget," he said pulling her closer.

"Good," Ann said between kisses.

After several minutes Harry pushed Ann gently away.

"What's the matter," asked Ann, her eyes full of uncertainty.

Harry breathed deeply. "I don't know which way is up when I'm with you."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Ann asked.

"I don't know."

"Harry, I want to be with you. I'm not asking for anything in return. I mean, I'm not expecting anything from you." Ann moved away so they were no longer touching and stared out the window. Harry didn't make a move to join her.

"Ann, I'm going to go," he said quietly.

Ann didn't turn around or respond. After a minute of silence, she could hear his footsteps die away down the staircase and she shivered, suddenly feeling very cold inside.