Chapter 18

Harry and Professor Lupin waited in the hallway for what felt like an eternity.

"What are they doing in there," said Harry impatiently.

Lupin sighed. "They're starting over. They're doing what they should have done the first day she came to Hogwarts."

Harry sniffed disdainfully. "Then what are we doing here?" He asked.

"Waiting," said Lupin simply.

"For what," asked Harry? "It's not like Snape will want either of our help and in case you didn't realize, you're really not one of Ann's favorite people."

"No, but you are."

"Hardly," spat Harry. "What's that old saying, with friends like this who needs enemies?"

"Harry," said Lupin warningly.

"Don't," said Harry firmly. "Just don't make excuses for her."

"I wasn't," said Lupin carefully. "It's just that you are awfully angry for a person who doesn't care."

"Just because I'm angry, doesn't mean I care. I'm just sick of my life being one long front page story."

Lupin shrugged. "It's just that maybe the reason you're so angry is because you really are worried about Ann. It's certainly the reason Severus was so angry."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "All right, so maybe I do care. So what?"

"So, I think Ann does care for you. And if you're honest with yourself, I think that you know that Ann needs you right now. And maybe, you need her too."

Harry was silent for a long time before continuing. "That reporter yesterday, that could have been a Death Eater. Have you ever considered that? We were alone. I was, umm, distracted. It would have been the perfect opportunity."

"Exactly," said Lupin and Harry looked at him in confusion. "Harry," continued Lupin patiently. "You and Ann have been alone a number of times. If she really meant you harm, she would have already."

Harry considered this, but before he could respond, Ann threw open the door to the classroom she and her father had been talking in.

She smiled almost shyly at both Lupin and Harry. "You can come in now. If you want," she said holding the door open.

Lupin smiled warmly and entered the room. Harry was about to follow when Ann caught his arm. "I know you don't think you'll ever forgive me for what I did, but if you're not too angry with me do you think we could talk alone, later?"

Harry considered her. Ann looked as if she was regaining some of the confident manner that had been missing the last couple of days. He knew it wouldn't be long before she was her old self again and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. "I guess," he agreed, realizing that despite his anger he was still drawn to her in a way he couldn't even explain to himself.

Ann smiled and released her hold on his arm, allowing him to enter the room. Lupin was sitting comfortably in the room, completely at ease with his surroundings. Harry wished he could feel as comfortable as Lupin looked. Snape on the other hand, was pacing the room in a small path.

Ann came up behind Harry and sat in the chair closest to her father's circular path.

The room was quiet for so long that Harry felt like shouting, just so there would be some noise.

After a while, Lupin finally spoke. "The way I see it," he began. "Ann has done something foolish, but not necessarily irreversible. "Draco Malfoy will have to be dealt with, of course, but I think it's possible that if we make him aware that we know what he is doing, then the excitement of what he is doing will lessen. From what I know about Mr. Malfoy, he is one to like to pretend that he is more important than he really is. He fancies himself a spy, but if we make it clear to him that Dumbledore and the rest of the staff are aware of what he had done, he will realize that he is of no use as a spy."

"What about Voldemort," asked Harry? "Won't he be disappointed not to have two new Death Eaters?" Harry's question had a bite to it, but Ann didn't flinch. She stared confidently between Lupin and her father. Comfortable, for the first time in her life, with letting others make the decision for her.

Snape on the other hand, despite his talk with Ann, was no closer to releasing his animosity towards Harry, then becoming the head of Gryffindor House. "That's none of your concern," he said to Harry.

Harry shrugged. "I can leave, if you'd like," he said fully knowing that Ann would insist he stay.

Snape sensing the same thing bit his tongue rather than starting another argument that would pit him and Ann against each other.

Lupin restrained himself from rolling his eyes. "I sincerely doubt Voldemort has any knowledge of Draco's little plan."

A burning sensation filled Snape's gut as he recalled the last thing Lucius Malfoy had said to him. 'The Dark Lord is aware of their interest.'

Before Snape could correct Lupin's false assumption, a sudden sharp pain burst like lightning through his arm. He instinctively grabbed his forearm and winced.

Ann, who had been watching him, quickly got to her feet. "What is it?" She asked her voice full of concern.

Snape stared into his daughter's wide eyes, wanting to hide the truth from her, but knowing he couldn't. "I am being summoned."

"Summoned," asked Ann. "What does that mean?"

"It means that the Dark Lord requires my presence immediately," said Snape quietly.

"Why?" Asked Ann, frightened.

Snape placed a warm hand on her cheek. "Don't worry. This is not unusual, but I must leave immediately. I need to get to Hogsmeade so I can apparate." He took a step toward the door, but Ann grabbed his arm.

"Wait," she said sharply.

Lupin stood and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Ann, you wanted to know what you're father did. This is what he does. He'll be ok."

"Remus is right," agreed Snape, though it pained him to do so. "Don't worry. I'll be back. I always am."

"I don't want you to go," said Ann stubbornly, still clutching onto him.

"I'm sorry. I really must go." He rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand before disentangling her arm from him and leaving the room.

Ann turned helplessly to Lupin. "How can you jut let him go. He could be in real danger."

"Yes," said Lupin, realizing that sugar-coating her father's danger was not something Ann needed to hear. "Your father's job is a dangerous one, but it is necessary. If he didn't do what he does, we would all be in a great deal of danger."

"I don't know if I'll be able to get use to this," said Ann quietly. "I think I might have preferred not knowing anything."

Lupin raised his eyes at her.

"You're right," acquiesced Ann. "I insisted I had to know. It'll just take some getting use to. What do you think he wants?"

Lupin shrugged. "I'm not sure. Sometimes the information your father brings back is shared and sometimes it's not. That's up to Professor Dumbledore."

"I'm his daughter," said Ann, as if not knowing was not an option.

"Yes, but you're also an under-age student. You will have to get use to the idea that things are going to happen that you are not aware of. I'm sorry."

Ann looked as if she were about to continue her protest, but when she opened her mouth again, she had changed the subject. "So, what are we going to do about me and Draco Malfoy."

Lupin sighed. "Right, we still need to take care of that." He rubbed his forehead and thought. "The next time you see him," he began slowly. "Tell him that I found out about your plan and informed the Headmaster. That may be enough for him to re-think his big plans. If not, let us know and we will take it from there."

Ann nodded, uncertain that this rather thin plan would work, but trusting Lupin all the same.

"If that's it," said Lupin eyeing both Ann and Harry, "I do need to inform the Headmaster of what transpired and he should be in his office by now."

Ann nodded and Lupin made for the door. "Thank you," she said before he left. He smiled before closing the door behind him.

Ann turned to Harry. "You staying?"

Harry crossed his arms. "You did say you wanted to talk. Didn't you?"

Ann nodded. "It's just that you've been kind of quiet."

"I don't have much to say," said Harry coldly.

"Good," said Ann. "Then you won't interrupt. I just wanted to start by apologizing to you about that photographer the other day. That had nothing to do with you and everything to do with my father."

"Like hell," snapped Harry. "It had everything to do with me. You used me to get your father angry."

"No," protested Ann. "I didn't. It wasn't even my idea. Draco thought that I needed to prove my loyalty and it was just a test. I was so consumed with the idea that I needed some kind of revenge on my father that I never considered what it would do to you." She paused. "I am sorry."

Harry turned away. "What I don't get," he said with some difficulty. "Is why you had to do that. You know how much I hate all that Boy-Who-Lived crap. I hate the press and my picture in the papers. Why did you do the one thing that you know would hurt me the most?"

"I know," said Ann quietly. "It's almost unforgivable."

"Almost," exclaimed Harry turning around.


Ann smiled mischievously. "Well, I am still hoping that you will forgive me."

Harry stared at her incredulously. "You're something else," he said in an unflattering tone. "You don't really think you can flirt your way out of this one. Do you?"

Ann's smile disappeared.


"I stuck up for you, you know, when all my friends were telling me that you were trouble. You made me look like a giant fool."

"I know," said Ann apologetically. "I know."

"You don't know anything," said Harry in disgust. "I can't even look at you anymore." He walked toward the door.

"Harry," Ann called half-pleadingly. But Harry was already out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus Snape had apparated into a quiet field a few yards from a small solitary house. He walked apprehensively, but with great speed. He had wasted too much time explaining to Ann why he had to leave and if he wasn't in front of the Dark Lord soon, he would be very displeased.

Snape reached the bare wooden door of the house and knocked confidently. In seconds the door was opened by the squat figure of Peter Pettigrew.

"You're late," he said squeakily.

"Then step aside," said Snape abrasively. Much like he and Lupin, he and Pettigrew had never let their distaste for each other wane since their days together at Hogwarts.

On braver days, Peter might have retorted. The fact that he quietly stepped aside and allowed Snape easy access told Snape that the Dark Lord was in a particularly violent mood. Peter was obviously eager for his master to have a new target.

Nevertheless, Snape knew his duty and quickly went to see Voldemort. Once inside the room Voldemort was occupying, Snape quickly went to him, kneeled, and kissed the hem of his supposed master's robes. He waited for Voldemort to bid him to rise.

"You may stand, Severus," said the icy voice of Lord Voldemort. He stood, but kept his eyes averted, respectfully. "I had hoped," continued Voldemort. "That you would have been here more quickly."

Severus knew better than to offer an excuse. "My most humble apologies, my Lord."

Voldemort dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "I have something important to discuss with you," he said quietly.

"Anything, my Lord," groveled Snape.

Voldemort smiled. "I understand that you know have sole custody of your daughter."

Snape stiffened and raised his eyes to meet Voldemort's.

"Is this untrue? Have I been misinformed?"

Snape quickly lowered his eyes. "You have not, my Lord. Ann is indeed now in my custody. She is in attendance at the school."

"Something I already knew," said Voldemort. "Lucius, please step forward."

Snape turned to see with horror, Lucius Malfoy emerge from a dark corner.

"Please relate to Severus, what you have just informed me," said Voldemort, his voice full of amusement.

Snape stared at Malfoy malevolently. "I was just explaining to our Lord that we may have it within our means to deliver the Potter boy to him."

"I do not see how you could have made such a promise," said Snape carefully. "Or what it has to do with me."

Malfoy cocked his head arrogantly at Snape. "Severus, old friend. There is no reason to be jealous. I have quite come to terms with the fact that our children will be able to do what we never have been able to."

Snape forced himself to remain calm. "I don't see how."

"That's surprising," said Malfoy, barely containing the amusement in his voice. "Considering what we spoke of only this morning."

Snape remained silent and Malfoy appeared to have nothing more to add. "Lucius has led me to believe that your daughter Ann and our Mr. Potter are quite close. He also explained that thanks to his son, Ann is showing an interest in being one of my followers."

Snape bit the inside of his mouth to keep from speaking.

"As one of my followers, Ann would be duty bound to do my bidding."

"Sir," interrupted Snape, no longer able to contain himself. "Ann is a mere child. She has no more sway over Potter than I do."

Voldemort produced a bit of paper from behind his back and threw it at Snape's feet. It was a copy of the morning's Daily Prophet. Snape could see the lurid photographs of Ann and Harry.

"It would seem that Ann holds a considerable amount of "sway" over Mr. Potter."

Snape couldn't speak. His mouth had gone completely dry and he was certain that everyone within fifty feet of him could hear his beating heart.

"You listen to me, Severus," said Voldemort darkly. "I want Harry Potter. I have wanted him for sixteen years. Your daughter has already shown her interest. She will be initiated into my Death Eaters and then she will be given the great honor of handing her Lord's enemies head on a silver platter. That is unless you have some kind of a reason as to why you can't bring her to me?"

Snape could feel Voldemort's eyes piercing him and he knew he had no choice. "Of course not, my Lord."

"Good, then as soon as possible, I want you to bring her to me."

Snape bowed. "Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort inclined his head. "You are dismissed then."

"Thank you, my Lord," said Snape turning quickly and leaving. He nearly knocked Pettigrew over in his haste to leave the oppressive house and didn't breathe clearly until he was nearly half a mile from the house.

Snape wasn't sure what he was going to do. The only thing he knew for certain was that he would die before he permitted that maniac to get within a hundred feet of his Ann.