Disclaimer

see chapter 1

Annie

Chapter 10

Minerva and Albus were just about to leave the stadium, when Albus caught sight of a student sitting alone in the stands."Albus, what is it?"

"I was just thinking, isn't it unusual that Miss Clareight is sitting up there all on her own. She's usually surrounded by your first years."

"Ok, I can take a hint Albus, although I doubt anything is seriously wrong." Albus watched as his deputy climbed the stands to where Annie was sitting. It was only then that he realised exactly who Annie reminded him of.

"Miss Clareight?"

Annie looked up, not caring to wipe away her tears. "Yes Professor?"

"Are you alright?"

"Yes Professor." Although the answer sounded legitimate, the look that Annie gave Minerva conveyed that obviously she was not alright.

"Would it help if you told me what was wrong?" Annie just shrugged, and they sat in silence for a while. Minerva was about to leave, when Annie muttered, "I hate them. I hate them all."

"Hate who, Miss Clareight?"

"The Slytherins."

"I think that's the situation between all Gryffindors and Slytherins."

Annie sighed. "I know, but they seem to pick on me more than anyone else. You know, because I'm an orphan and everything."

"Miss Clareight, you shouldn't listen to them."

Annie looked out over the Quidditch pitch and contemplated a response.

"I can't help it. What they say still hurts; a lot."

Minerva thought for a moment.

"I'll have a word with Professor Snape, and if that doesn't work, I'll mention it to the headmaster." A look of horror swept Annie's face.

"Please, don't Professor," she pleaded, "they'll know it was me, I'm sure they will. It will just make it worse and...and I don't think I could deal with that." By this time tears were pouring down her face, and all Minerva could do was to put her arms around the girl and comfort her.

"Miss Clareight...Annie, no one can make you feel like that, not anyone."

"But they do," Annie sobbed.

"Do your friends know about this?"

"Only about...about what they say to me. I've only been here two weeks."

Minerva continued to sooth Annie until her crying subsided. She hated having any pupil upset, but it was even worse when it was one of her Gryffindors, and a first year at that. Minerva looked up at the sky, and was surprised to see that it was getting quite dark.

"Annie, I think it's time we were getting back to the castle. It's nearly time for dinner and I daresay the rest of the Gryffindor first years will be wondering where you are. I'll take you back to the tower."

They walked back in silence, Annie drying her eyes so that her friends couldn't tell she had been crying. Before she entered the tower, Annie turned to face Minerva.

"Thank you Professor."

"For what Annie?"

Annie shrugged. "For being there for me."

Minerva gave Annie a rare smile. "If you need to talk, you know where my office is." Annie nodded before saying a final goodbye, and entered the tower.

AN: yay.........