Ch.3 Home

Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: I'm sorry this took so long my computer kept on dieing, and I've been afraid to touch it and mess it up even more.

Maybe on the way I'll find the dog

I saw the other night

And tuck him under my jacket

So we'll stay warm through the night

And as we lie in the belltower high

And dream of days to come

The bells o'er head will call the hour

The day we find a home

Anne followed the red haired woman up the rickety stairs apprehensively. All of her instincts screamed at her to run. Unfortunately for her instincts she refused to leave without her wand and her captors still had it. At the top of the landing the woman led her to a door and said, "This is where you'll be sleeping if the girls aren't in here then they'll be two doors down. Try to be quiet in the halls, you don't want to wake anything up." Anne opened the door and entered the room. Thankfully no one was in there. She huddled up against a wall and let herself get lost in her thoughts.

Her father, innocent, alive, just downstairs, and by his own admission willing to make up for lost time raising her. She wanted desperately to trust these people and accept him. To have a family. But do I trust them because I can or because I'm tired of running? Am I willing to trust these people only because I want to? Before she could form an answer to her question there was a rap on the door.

The pink haired woman opened the door and said, "come on down, we have to take you to Hogwarts tonight."

Anne slung her backpack over her shoulder and asked, "Do I get my wand back?"

" 'Fraid not, you will soon though."

Pink Hair led her down the stairs back into the kitchen she kept her eyes down as they filed outside. However they were going Remus seemed to be going too. Pink Hair flagged down the Knight Buss. As Remus herded Anne to a couple of empty beds Pink Hair had a few tense words with the conductor. When Pink Hair joined them Anne asked, "Erm, what do I call you? I can't just call you hey-you."

The woman laughed, "I'm Tonks." After that the only conversation that existed in their group was between Tonks and Remus. Anne tuned them out in favor of The Standard Book of Spells year Five by Miranda Goshawk.

She didn't have long to immerse herself in her studies until they arrived in Hogsmead. The chatty Tonks became all business at this point, becoming terse and watchful as she ushered Anne and Remus up to the castle.

They walked up to a gate flanked by two winged Boars.

Wow. Was Anne's first thought as she viewed the massive school before her. She didn't have long to admire the scenery as her escorts hurried her up to the front door and inside the castle.

Blimey, it's a wonder these people get to class on time. She thought to herself as she was led through the twists and turns of the school. Remus stopped in front of a stone Gargoyle and said, "Acid Pops."

All right then, he's talking to a statue. But to her surprise the Gargoyle leapt aside to reveal a revolving staircase.

At the top there was a door with a silver knob, which Remus knocked on.

"Enter.", called a pleasant voice from the other side of the door.

They filed in with Anne sandwiched between the two adults. Anne found herself in a large oval room filled with glittering instruments. There was an old man sitting behind a lovely pine desk. "Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Black." He said pleasantly. "You seem to have caused quite a stir. Would you like a lemon drop?"

For a second two instincts warred within her, the first to obtain any form of nourishment to keep going and the second to never trust a stranger offering food. Hunger won. "Yes please Professor-?"

"Dumbledorr," he answered giving her the offered candy, "Why did you run away child? Surely things couldn't have been that bad at the orphanage?"

"No? Maybe not for your run of the mill muggle child, but I was neither of those. For as long as I could remember I had been making things happen and I didn't know why. I was the resident freak and everyone knew it. And then- then I'm shown a ray of hope- I find out that I'm not a freak just another witch. But then how was I to pay? Most students in my position get Ministry Aid, but they were afraid that if I learned magic I might emulate my father, and we couldn't have that now could we? I didn't answer any of the letters hoping someone would get curious and investigate, but they never did.", Tears threatened and she blinked them away. I won't cry, I won't. It'll do me no good to appear weak. Dammit Annabelle get a grip on yourself! With an effort she made her face turn into a mask of indifference. "No-one wanted me; I didn't want them so I left." Was that guilt she saw on his face?

"My dear some one should have gone looking for you when you didn't answer your letters I-", He began but she interrupted him with a bark of laughter.

"I was an oversight?! Hah! Figures.", she replied not bothering to hide the venom in her voice.

"My-"

"Don't call me that.", she interrupted coldly, "I'm not your anything. My name is Anne Black. Address me by either one, but don't presume to own me."

He looked shocked, "Miss Black I meant nothing of the sort. And I must apologize someone should have come for you. I promise you I will do everything in my power to rectify the mistake. Did you know that you have family that would like to take you in?"

What!? "No Sir, I was under the impression that they all wanted nothing to do with me.", she replied.

"Some of your cousins were excommunicated from the family and were not aware of your presence.", He said, "Tonks is one of them."

Anne turned to the woman sitting beside her and said, "You are! But-"

"Anne, no one on our side of the family knew that you even existed until now. I'd be more than willing to be your official guardian now, or my mum would do it.", Tonks said.

Anne felt her throat tighten and had to fight to keep her emotions under control, "I- Thank you, I-"

"Your feeling a tad overwhelmed?", Tonks stated.

"Yeah. I don't- where's Remus?", she asked startled, she hadn't even heard him leave the room.

"Sirius had an errand for him to run.", Tonks said, "As soon as he returns we can go home."

"Home.", Anne repeated tasting the word, "I do have a home now don't I?"

"You do.", Remus said from the door making Anne jump. "I'd rather we left soon Albus, I might do something irreparable if we met with-"

"Right, of course.", Dumbledorr cut in before Remus could finish his sentence, "I'll get in touch with you soon, Miss Black. Happy Christmas."

They said their farewells and left. Remus and Tonks seemed to be in rather a hurry to leave to castle grounds. Anne hardly noticed, she was wrapped up in her own thoughts.

When they returned to Number Twelve Grimauld Place she introduced briefly to the other inhabitants. Then she had a (would wonders never cease?) big meal. She barely had time to register the novelty of sleeping in a clean, warm, dry bed before she dropped off to sleep.

Maybe I can find a place to call my home

Maybe I can find a home to call my own

RR