Chapter 21

Ann had found Lupin's broom the first day they had been at Lupin's house, but she never imagined that she would be using it to fly back to Hogwarts four days later. She streaked through the sky as silently and quickly as she could. She was running against the clock. She had no idea how long it would be before Lupin checked on her and discovered she was gone.

After about two hours on the broom Ann knew her backside would never be the same, but at least she could finally see the castle off in the distance. She surveyed the grounds as best she could and several times had to pull the broom higher to avoid detection. She circled the tower where the Gryffindor's lived and made a silent prayer that Harry would be in his dorm room.

As quickly as she could she brought the broom down to the seventh year boys bedroom window and clumsily climbed in. The room was deserted, but a quick glance at her watch told her that classes were about to let out and the students would be heading to lunch. She only hoped that Harry would come up to his dorm room first.

Ann crept silently out of the boys bedroom and positioned herself so she could see the portrait opening, but was still in the shadows so no one could see her. It felt like an eternity before the portrait opened and when it did, it only admitted a couple of third or fourth year girls. Ann fidgeted impatiently, trying to decide what she would do if Harry didn't show up.

After she had left Dumbledore and Lupin in the kitchen for the solitude of her room, she had cried herself sick. But once she couldn't cry anymore, she realized she had two choices. She could stay in her room under Lupin's roof until they brought her father's body to her or she could go after him herself. Their really was only one choice, but she knew she couldn't do it on her own. As much as it pained her to admit it, she needed help and the only person who would help her was Harry. At least she hoped he would.

Through the entire two hour flight to Hogwarts she waged an inward battle. Part of her felt like she was wasting time by going to Hogwarts. Harry would never help her after what she'd done. But another voice reminded her that it was Harry who had saved the Sorcerer's Stone his first year and rescued a girl from the Chamber of Secrets his second year and broken into the Department of Mysteries his fifth year. He would help her. He just had to.

A few more minutes passed and the portrait opened again. Ann nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Ron and Hermione. If they were there, Harry wouldn't be far behind. She waited expectantly, but was crushed when the portrait closed without admitting another person.

"Are you sure you left that book up in my room," asked Ron.

"I've looked all over my room. I can't find it and I really need it for my next class," insisted Hermione.

"When did you leave it up there?"

Hermione smiled slyly. "I think it was last weekend. You know, when everyone was downstairs celebrating Gryffindor beating Hufflepuff at Quidditch and we snuck upstairs."

"You brought a book with you," exclaimed Ron, aghast.

"Shh," hushed Hermione. "Don't be silly. I brought the book to the match."

"You mean you weren't watching me play?"

"Ron," whined Hermione. "No offense, but Quidditch isn't always that interesting, especially when you're playing against Hufflepuff. Besides, I had a test the next day."

"I don't know which is worse," pouted Ron. "You not watching my game or you bringing a book while we, you know."

Hermione rolled her eyes and took his hand dragging him to the stairs. "Trust me, Ron. That book was the last thing on my mind that night."

Ron grinned widely and let her lead him upstairs. "What do you say we skip lunch then and I can make you forget why we came up here in the first place," he said pulling her around and kissing her hard.

Hermione gasped and pulled away.

"What?" Asked Ron in surprise.

Hermione was staring at Ann who was looking uncomfortably back. "What are you doing up here?" She asked suspiciously.

Ann shifted from one foot to the other nervously.

"You've been gone for like four days," Ron put in. "Where have you been?"

"I came to see Harry," explained Ann. "I need his help."

Hermione shook her head. "No way. You've been nothing but trouble for him since you got here." She let go of Ron's hand and made a move toward the stairs. "I'm going to get Professor Dumbledore."

"No, wait please," begged Ann. "You have to believe me. I never meant for any of this to happen. But I really do need Harry. It's a matter of life or death."

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "You haven't been honest since the day you got here. Do you really think we'll believe you now?"

"I'm telling you the truth," insisted Ann. Ann could see that neither of them looked convinced. "At least tell Harry that I'm here. He has the right to decide for himself whether he trusts me or not."

Hermione looked uncertain and Ron jumped in. "Fine," he said coldly. "I'll tell him you're here, but only if you make us a promise."

"What," asked Ann suspiciously.

"That when he does tell you to shove off, that you will. No more tricks, no more trying to keep him in your life. You leave him alone."

"Ron," began Hermione.

"Deal," said Ann, cutting her off. "But you can't tell anyone else that I'm here. Just him."

Ron nodded slowly and turned to Hermione. "Will you be ok staying here with her?"

Ann turned her head so they wouldn't see her roll her eyes.

"Hurry up," answered Hermione. "I hope you know what you're doing," she added.

Ron left quickly.

Hermione turned back to Ann and the two girls stared at each other. After a few minutes, Ann walked over to Ron's bed, leaned over and picked up a thin book. "I think you were looking for this," she smiled, holding the book out to Hermione.

Hermione snatched it.

"Just trying to be nice," said Ann snidely.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the girl. "I never liked you. I knew you were bad news from the beginning."

"Maybe you were just afraid that I might steal away some of Harry's attention," answered Ann.

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Ann cut her off.

"Please Hermione. I think I know all about girls like you. You hang with two of the most popular guys at Hogwarts. I mean, what don't they do. They're Seeker and Keeper on the Gryffindor team, not to mention their other extra-curricular activities. From what I just heard you've got the redhead wrapped around your little finger. But that's not enough, is it? You just can't bear the idea that Harry's attention might be diverted from you."

Hermione shook her head and smiled sadly. "You're so far off. I could care less if Ron and Harry were the least popular at Hogwarts and quite frankly, I'd prefer if they were terrible at Quidditch, at least then I wouldn't have to hear Quidditch this and Quidditch that every other hour. This has nothing to do with me. I don't care if Harry has a girlfriend, because I know that no matter who comes into his life, there will always be room for me in it. You have to understand something, Ann. There are some things that people go through together that form an unbreakable bond. That's what Harry, Ron, and I have. I'm not threatened by you because you're not a threat."

Ann narrowed her eyes at Hermione, but didn't respond.

"You've been nothing but self destructive since you got here. I feel bad that you've lost your mother," she said in a kinder voice. "Really, I do. But I can't let you hurt Harry. He's been through too much and he deserves someone who has their head on straight."

"He deserves to be with someone who makes him happy," said Ann.

"And you really think that's you," challenged Hermione. "I haven't seen him smile in weeks because of you and when Ron brings him up here you are going to keep your word and leave him alone."

"That's only if he asks me to go."

"He will," said Hermione, but her voice betrayed her lack of confidence. She had seen how Ann affected Harry and the truth was she was worried how the night would end.

The girls might have continued sparring with each other had the boys not returned just then.

"What are you doing here," asked Harry accusingly from the doorway.

Ann's proud veneer slipped away at the sight of her only hope and she bit her lip nervously. "Can we talk, alone?"

"No," said Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the same time.

"Ok," said Ann softly. "I understand you don't want to make this easy on me."

"Just spit it out, Ann," said Harry angrily. "Why are you here and what do you want?"

"I umm, I need your help," she said and then before she could help herself she started to cry. She wiped furiously at her face. "My father's in trouble," she said hurriedly. "No one's heard from him in three days."

"We wondered where Snape was," said Ron quietly.

"Oh my God," said Harry in panic moving toward Ann. "Is Professor Lupin with him? He's been gone too?"

"No," said Ann reassuringly. "Professor Lupin has been with me. We've been together."

Harry sighed in relief. "I think maybe you'd better start from the beginning. Tell us everything that's happened."

Ann spoke as quickly as possible, knowing that she was running out of time. When she had finished, Harry, Hermione, and Ron could only stare at her.

"Please help me," she begged Harry quietly.

Harry took her hand in his. "This doesn't change anything between us, you know."

Ann nodded. "I know. I'm not asking for anything, but your help. All I want is my father back," she said as her voice cracked.

Harry put his arm around her shoulder. "I'll do what I can to help you."

Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance. They knew where this was heading. They had been there before.

"Harry," began Hermione.

He turned toward her. "I know what you're going to say, but this is nothing like the last time. We know Snape's in trouble."

"We don't know anything," said Ron. "All we know is what she's told us."

"I'm not lying," shouted Ann. "Look," she said standing up. "If the answer is no, then fine, I'll go by myself." She turned toward Hermione and Ron. "And don't worry, I'll keep my damn promise."

"What promise," asked Harry.

Hermione and Ron exchanged a nervous glance. "That's beside the point," said Ron, trying to change the subject. "The point is, you don't even know where he is. Do you?"

"No," admitted Ann. "But I know where to find out."

"Where," asked Harry.

"Draco Malfoy," replied Ann.

"Well you're out of luck, then," said Ron. "Malfoy's been gone for days. His father came and picked him up."

Ann processed the information, but didn't let it discourage her. "Then we'll go to Malfoy Manor."

"Are you mad?" Shouted Ron.

Ann's temper got the better of her and she advanced on Ron. "My father is out there. You may not like him, you may even hate him. But he is all I have left and I'm going to bring him home."

Ann moved toward the door, then turned back. "Harry?" She asked tentatively, but hopefully.

"I'll come with you," said Harry getting up and joining Ann.

"Harry, no," exclaimed Hermione.

"I'm going for Dumbledore," said Ron.

"We'll be gone before you get back," said Harry putting his hand on Ann's back and urging her forward. "I want you guys to come with me, but if you don't, it won't stop me."

"When has anything we've ever said stopped you," snapped Hermione angrily.

"I'm sorry," said Harry sincerely and he and Ann left the room.

Ron looked helplessly at Hermione. "Do you think we should go get Dumbledore?"

Hermione closed her eyes in defeat. "Come on, we can't let him leave without us." And she pulled Ron out the door, going after Harry and Ann.