Chapter 6
'Shh!' you could Hermione hiss at someone as they entered Anja's bedroom where she had been laying in bed for the past week.
'I want to talk to her!' you could hear Harry his back at her.
'Bout time you did.' Hermione whispered, 'But not right now. She's still asleep as you can tell.' She added nodding her head towards the bed that Anja layed on.
'I'm not blind.' Harry whispered back, 'I can see that.'
Harry made a face at Hermione and asked her one more time to leave so he could talk to Anja. Hermione, like a good friend should do, kept saying persistently that there was no way and no point that he should be there. But in the end, like a friend shouldn't, gave in and left the room leaving Harry alone with Anja. Harry stood by the window and pulled out a picture frame that he had got for his birthday from Anja.
FLASHBACK
Harry slowly made his way up the stairs to the room that he and Ron were sharing. He held the package that Anja held given to him for his birthday. He hadn't unwrapped it yet, not knowing if he should or not. As soon as he sat down on the edge of his bed he tore at the corner of the parcel, being careful because he didn't want to rip the paper. The gold wrapping paper fell to the floor, and Harry saw the back of a picture frame. He turned it over to look at the front, and there was a picture of everyone. Well of course not everyone, but Remus with a book on his lap, his mom and dad cuddling together (his father holding mistletoe over his head), and Sirius holding a baby Harry in a leather jacket that he must have given him. There was a Christmas tree, and a wreath in the background, so it must have been his first Christmas. Everyone looked so happy, as if they knew nothing about that stupid prophecy that caused all this trouble. A small piece of paper fell to the floor and Harry bent over to pick it up. In the neatest writing that Harry had ever read where nine simple words: One I knew you didn't have before. Love, Anja
Harry stared at it for a few minutes trying to get past the fact that Anja wrote love. She seemed to care about him even if he kept giving her grim looks.
FLASH FORWARD
Harry looked back from the picture frame to Anja, who lay on her back there looking like a sleeping angel; her brown hair spread out over her pillow, her slightly tanned complexion, her hands folded together a top of her stomach, her chest moving up and down slowly but regularly.
She looks so peaceful, just lying there. Harry thought looking away from her to out the window were Ginny and Ron practice throwing the Quaffle back and forth, Hermione sitting under a tree reading a book with a glass of water beside her, and the sun shining over their heads not a cloud in the sky; a perfect summer's day.
Anja stirred from underneath her duvet and open her eyes to a dark room only the light from the hallway seeping from under the door, and the pure sunlight poring in from the window. A tall shadow ran across the floor. She sat up to look at Harry, who was still looking out the window at his friends. Anja cleared her throat and Harry sort of jumped and looked towardslaidshouldn't her and slid the picture frame back into his pocket.
'How long have I been... asleep?' she asked staring into his luminous green eyes that reminded her of Lily's eyes.
'About a week, I think.' Harry responded, and headed for her bed and stood at the foot of the bed.
Anja sat up more and crossed her legs, straightening her back. She coughed a few times and rubbed the temples of her head. They were throbbing like it was all they were there for.
'Thanks for the gift.' Harry mumbled breaking the silence, 'you didn't really have to do that.' Anja nodded. She actually kind of had to. Who would have given him the picture if she hadn't't?
'So what exactly have I missed while I have been resting?' she asked looking at the window, then at the light switch to her room.
Harry stood up and walked over to the light switch and flicked it upwards and the light flickered on. 'You haven't really missed anything, except for Remus getting his strength back.'
'Have we gotten our supplies list yet?' she asked.
'Yeah. Mrs. Weasley went and got our supplies yesterday. And McGonagall sent another letter for you.
It's down in the kitchen.' He added.
Anja nodded a bit disappointed. Harry could tell and asked, 'What's wrong?'
'I just wanted to get a few books while getting my supplies, that's all.'
'Hermione got a few books for you. She actually made a huge fuss about.' Harry reassured her. 'You know how she gets if its not done right away.' He smiled.
'So what's the letter about?' Anja said playing with a ring that was on her middle left finger. The ring had a pearl in the middle with two dazzling diamonds surrounding the pearl. That ring (and probably everything about Anja) looked way to familiar to Harry.
'I don't know, since no one has read it yet.' Harry said, still looking at the ring as if stuck in a daze like it was the only important item in the world at the moment. 'It only has your name on it'.
Anja brought her hands up to the temples of her head. They ached comparable to a hammer slamming down on to a wood floor, never stopping, somewhat bashing like bashing into a wall over and over again. She closed her eyes. The throbbing sounded like an echo in her head.
'Are you all right?' Harry asked, worried that she might pass out again just in front of him. Harry had already had his deal with passing out, falling to the floor, and hearing his mother screaming for mercy in front of Lord Voldemort.
'Yeah. I'm fine.' She said shaking her head.
'Well okay, I'm going to go outside.' Harry said nervously, not sure if he should leave her alone since people had been taking turns keeping an eye on her, which had given him a break to be a normal teenager for a week that wasn't too bad.
'Could you wait for me?' Anja asked. 'You could wait for me out in the hall while I get changed.'
Harry nodded and walked out of her room and closed the door gently. He started to pace the length of the hallway for a couple of minutes and sat down. She was taking forever to get changed.
Why do girls take forever to get changed? Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Being friends with her. Ron might not understand why I want to be fiends with her. And besides I'm tired being angry with her only because Sirius didn't tell me about her.
The door opened and Anja stepped out wearing scarlet red t-shirt and a pair of denim blue jeans; her straight brown hair pulled up into a lose bun. She stepped out in a staggering way, as if she hadn't walked around in ages. Harry stood up and took her arm, not wanting her to fall down the stairs. The both of them made their way down the stair, past the kitchen (arguing could be heard where the Order was having their monthly meeting), and to the back door. As soon as Harry closed the door, Ginny and Ron stopped tossing the Quaffle and Hermione stood up with her book still in her hand. Ron glanced at Anja and looked at Harry meaningfully. Harry still had his arm around Anja's. He let go of Anja and suggested that she go and talk to Hermione and Ginny.
'So... what did you tell her?' Ron asked Harry, glancing every now and then at Anja as if he were afraid that she might collapse right in front of them.
'I only thanked her for the picture frame.' Harry whispered. 'She asked what had happened while she was knocked out and I said that Remus was better and that we got out school supplies already. And about that letter that McGonagall sent.'
'What about it?'
'She asked what it was about and I said that no one read it so I wouldn't know.' Harry said sitting down on one of the steps and looking over at Anja, talking with Hermione and Ginny non-stop, like they hadn't talked to each other in ages.
'You didn't tell her that you want to be friends though?' Ron said sitting down beside Harry, folding his hands together and looked at the sky as one cloud passed slowly overhead.
Harry closed his eyes and shook his head in response. 'I should have though. When am I ever going to be able to tell her? She's always surrounded by Ginny and Hermione?'
Ron shook his head and said, 'Girls. You can't talk to them alone. There friends are always there watching your every move like their waiting for you to make the wrong move so they can giggle and laugh at you like hyenas.'
'You could say that again.' Harry agreed.
'Boys! Hurry up. You're going to make the rest of us late!' Mrs. Weasley yelled up the stairs to Harry and Ron.
It was the first of September, the day of Anja's huge speech in front of the whole school. The down part about the speech was that it was about Cedric Diggory and Sirius' deaths, and that Voldemort was really back. But most of all Anja had to do this with Harry right beside her.
This will be easier now that we're on speaking terms now.
Harry had still not told her that he wanted to be friends with her, yet. He was determined to tell her on the way to Hogwarts, so it would be before the speech and it might be easier for both of them.
Remember that letter that Anja had received from McGonagall? Well that was what it was about. Anja pulled two pieces of paper out of her pocket from her jean pocket. One was the letter and one was the speech.
The letter said:
Anja, Professor McGonagall and I don't want to induce you to talk in front of all the students about Cedric Diggory and Sirius' death and the return of Voldemort, but we could think of no one better than you. And now that we have heard that you and Harry are on speaking conditions, we would also approve it if you could persuade Harry into talking about it in addition.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore
The letter made sense. But why not get he Minister himself to do this? It would make sense. But at least Harry had agreed to do this with her. Imagine talking to all of Hogwarts by your self. 'Better off doing it with someone you can trust.' Was Remus' advising. Hermione thought that it was an honour, to speak in front of the whole student body. Ginny thought that it was probably a wise idea that Harry does it with her, 'he was there when it happened'. Anja had written up a speech but she didn't really like the look of it.
Last year, about a year and three months ago, Hogwarts lost a student, a Quidditch captian, a seeker, and a prefect, by the name of Cedric Diggory.
About three months ago, this year, some of us lost a friend a godfather, and (even though he wasn't one) a brother, by the name of Sirius Black.
Both of these deaths were caused by the Dark Lord, the wizard that you were told had returned. And then told that he had not returned, when in fact he had. This mistake has been corrected. Lord Voldemort has returned with great strength along with new and old followers.
As the Sorting Hat said this very day last year, 'oh, know the perils, read the signs, the warning history shows, for our Hogwarts is in danger from external, deadly foes and we must unite inside her or we'll crumble from within.' We must work tighter if we want to enjoy our life, continue with Quidditch, and be safe and free with our families and friends.
Anja had shown it to Harry. He though it was pretty good. He said that he didn't want to say much and that's what looked like he would be doing. Harry picked out the first and last paragraphs. This way he wouldn't have to talk about Sirius or Lord Voldemort.
'Hurry! Or you're going to be late!' Mrs. Weasley hollered at the boys as they trampled down the stairs, dragging their trunks behind them. 'How are we getting to Hogwarts this year?' Ron asked, with fear that he may have to take the Knight Bus. The last time he took the Knight Bus he was all to glad to step of the bizarre ride after being thrown from on side to the other.
'The Ministry in providing cars this year.' Hermione answered Ron's question while pulling her trunk out to the driveway with one and her nose in a book that her left hand was holding up.
'Bookworm.' Ron breathed under his breath.
Hermione glared at him just before the door and made on of her huffing sounds, annoyed with him. Anja and Ginny rolled their eyes and followed Hermione out of the house. Remus and Tonks waited at the door for Harry and Ron to follow them.
You might think that packing five trunks, three cages, one basket, and nine people into three cars would be easy. Just throw two trunks in with the two cages and three people in one car, three other people and a trunk in one car, and the other three people, one cage, one basket, and two trunks in the last car. (A/N: yeah right. That's what you think). Hermione and Ron were being very immature and wouldn't cooperate and stop arguing, but they ended up in the same car anyways along with Tonks. Ginny kept saying that she wanted to be in the same car with Anja or Hermione, but Mrs. Weasley said no and put her in the same car as herself and Moody. But when it came to Harry and Anja, they did what they were told and went in the same car as Remus. So after fifteen minutes of arguing and bustling about the arranging, everyone was in a car and ready to go.
Everyone arrived at Kings Cross at quarter to eleven, which left everyone with fifteen minutes to unpack everything and catch the Hogwarts Express just in time. It was such a sight to see nine people walking through the train station; five people each pushing a trolley, three people carrying a cage with an owl in each one; and one other person carrying a basket with a very grouchy, old ginger cat.
'Now behave you two.' Mrs. Weasley kept nagging every time Ginny and Ron went to walk over to the compartment that Anja, Hermione and Harry already had their trunks, cages, and basket in.
Anja stood beside Remus, waiting for his wise words to come out of his mouth that seemed to keep tightly closed today, for if he did say something, he would let something out that wasn't to be known my Anja or anyone else.
'I guess this is good bye until Christmas.' Anja finally said looking up at Remus' yellowish-brown eyes that were glued to the train.
'That is only if you want to come back.' He replied, looking down at her hopefully waiting for her reply.
'Of course I do.' She looked back up into his eyes that looked deeply back into hers. Anja stepped towards him and gave him a hug, something that she hadnup wards't done in such a long time. She didn't want to let go. Remus hugged her in return and patted her head. She let go and smiled, turned and walked up beside Ginny to the compartment.
The Hogwarts Express pulled itself across pastures, meadows, and fields of parched, brittle, yellow grass of the dry summer. The sun just falling into a glowing sunset, clouds shaded with purple and pink. 'Hermione why don't you just put that book down and do something else.' Ron suggested.
Hermione placed her book on her lap, crossed her legs, and huffed like before earlier that day. 'Than what do you suppose I do? Talk about Quidditch with you? Or should I stuff my face with sweets?' she said shrilly.
Everyone stopped talking to look at Hermione or Ron. The both of them were glaring at each other, disgust flowing through each's eyes.
'Hermione why don't we-' Ginny started.
'Go for a walk? I think that would be a brilliant idea Ginny.' Hermione said penetratingly as she stood up in a huff, she turned on her heel, slide open the door with such force that the glass shattered.
'Don't worry, I'll get.' Anja said calmly. 'Go a head I'll catch up later.'
Hermione nodded her head and stomped out of the compartment with Ginny following her quickly but quietly.
'Reparo.' Anja barley whispered. The glass shuffled itself back into place and back into the door.
Anja sat down beside Harry and place her head gingerly on the window, and closed her eyes gently. Her head was pounding again. But on the bright side, she couldn't hear anyone think for once. She didn't know if that was good but it felt good, plus the glass was pleasantly cool.
'You okay?' Ron asked.
'Yeah. Just all the yelling that's all.' She supposed. ' Do you guys think that I could get changed right now?' The two of them nodded and walked out of the compartment. And Anja closed the compartment screen.
The ride in the carriages didn't improve her headache either all she could remember was bump, bump, bump. Hermione kept grumbling about how stupid Ron was and everything that could go wrong under the sun. And Ginny just kept saying how she couldn't wait to see Dean, in other words Dean this, Dean that. As Anja actually started to cheer up she met someone that she was hoping to avoid.
'And who might you be?' a cold drawling voice said from behind her that gave her a chill up her spine.
Anja turned to look at the one and only Draco Malfoy. He stood there without a worry in the world. He looked exactly like his father; the slick blonde hair plastered to his head, pale skin, eyes that could only love for money, and that same stupid smirk that made you want to smack right across the face until he stopped smirking.
'None of your business Malfoy.' She turned around and walked up beside Harry and Ron, not looking back, not wanting to look back at that stupid smirk that brought back memories that weren't even hers.
Anja took her seat in between Harry and Ginny, and pulled out the piece of paper with her and Harry's speech on it. She kept reciting her parts over and over in her head, and it still didn't sound right. Harry looked over to his right and whispered in her ear: 'Don't worry. You'll do fine.' Anja nodded and took a deep breath and looked at the table. Someone started to tug on her robe sleeve and wouldn't stop.
'Anja. You won't believe this.' Ginny whispered and pointed in the direction where the teachers and staff were sitting.
Anja looked up there and there sat...
'Remus!'
'Professor Lupin now.' Professor McGonagall voice said from behind them. 'I came to talk to five about that.' She looked around and Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Anja. 'You must call him Professor Lupin in front of other students. Do I make myself clear?'
The five of them nodded, Hermione paying close attention (as always), Ron fiddling with the tablecloth, Ginny looking up amazed at the ceiling, Harry looking over to the Ravenclaw table, and Anja looking start at Remus trying to get his attention for at least on second. McGonagall looked at the five Gryffindors sternly and walked away to get the first years, for they were about to be sorted.
(A/N: As you can tell, I'm way to lazy to make up a song for the first years. So you're just going to have to put up with it).
After the Sorting, Dumbledore stood up and called for silence. Everyone fell silent; looking up at Dumbledore with either great respect or just pretending to pay attention so they wouldn't get a lecture of some type.
'I know that a number of you would like to dig into the scrumptious, delicious, mouthwatering feast we have a Ministry announcement that will be stated by two of our students. So if I could have all of your attentions please.'
Professor Dumbledore nodded towards Harry and Anja, to indicate for them to come up beside the High table. Anja saw Remus sat up more attentively to his respect and hoping for the rest of the staff to follow his example. Anja nodded and stood up, Harry followed. The whole entire student body had their eyes on the two of them, not one of Anja's most desired things to happen to her being shy and all. Anja and Harry made their way up to the High table to star down at everyone. Harry cleared his voice and started.
'Last year, about a year and three months ago, Hogwarts lost a student, a Quidditch captain, a seeker, and a prefect by the name of Cedric Diggory.' He said shakily, looking towards the Ravenclaw table were Cho stared up at him, tears slowly falling down her cheek.
'About three months ago, this year, some of us lost a friend, a godfather, and (even though he wasn't one) a brother, by the name of Sirius Black.' Anja said. Trying so hard to hold back tears that were so close to leaking out of her hazel eyes, she glanced up at Harry and then over to (her left passed Harry) at Remus. He smiled and winked. She smiled back and looked back into the crowd of students. 'Both of these deaths were cause by the Dark Lord, the wizard that you were told had returned. And then you were told that he had not returned, when in fact he had. This mistake has been corrected. Lord Voldemort,' a majtority of the students and staff (for the exception of Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Lupin and Hermione and Ginny) gasped or jumped at the name, 'has returned with great strength along with new and old followers.' She said truthfully. Harry paused and looked over to his right at Anja. He didn't say anything. He just stood there. She nodded and he carried on, maybe with more confidence.
'As the Sorting Hat said this very day last year, 'oh, know the perils, read the signs, the warning history shows, for our Hogwarts is in danger from external, deadly foes and we must unite inside her or we'll crumble from within.' We must work together if we want to enjoy our life, continue with Quidditch, and be safe and free with our families and friends.' Was the last thing that Harry said and followed Anja down back to the Gryffindor Table.
A good round of applause broke out from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and the High table were the staff (including Professor Snape and Filch) stood up clapping. Everyone at the Slytherin table remained seated, but clapped as effortless as possible.
'Thank you Anja and Harry. Now, you may begin with your feast!' Dumbledore said energetically, and food of all kinds appeared before everyone's eyes. Anja sat down across from Ginny, Ron and Harry, sitting down beside Hermione not wanting to leave her seated alone.
'That was a really good speech you two.' Hermione said. 'It was well planned out.' nodding to Anja.
'And all of it was so true.' Ginny said further smiling at Ron, waiting for him to add something to acknowledge Anja and Harry.
'Um... that was really...er... great of you two to go up there... in front of everyone and all.' Ron added looking at the chicken that was sitting right in front of his plate.
'Thanks.' The both of them said in unison, but Harry said glumly and Anja said it brightly smiling.
Anja looked up and saw Harry staring at the Ravenclaw table, towards Cho. But when Anja looked back to try and see Cho, she ended up seeing Malfoyblondweren't looking straight at her with a smirk on his face.
(A/N: I would like to thank all the people that have reviewed this Fan Fic so far: Krissy4, Mackotochi, CrMeiNa, and Monisurf. Thanks you guys, you give me more confidence that I love so much. I promise that I'll update soon).