Chapter 5 – Rising Tensions

"First Years and transfer students this way please." A voice called from behind her. Anna turned around and saw a short man with a round friendly face. This was unmistakably Neville Longbottom, she had seen him in Harry's photo albums. Anna followed him and the other first years down a track to a lake where they got in a boat, Anna felt very conscious of being the only one who wasn't a first year. Anna spotted Harry Weasley and went over to him; he was looking just as scared as the rest of the first years.

"Hi, remember me?" Anna asked him. He nodded.

"Yeah you were at my brother and sisters birthday party." They got in a boat with two other girls. Both the girls were looking at Anna. She smiled at them; something had happened on the train, she found she was able to talk to people now, she felt more comfortable around them. Or it might have been that she knew she wasn't going to be proper friends with the first year's only talk to them for a bit. They got to the end of the lake and got out; they were led to the front doors and into a small chamber. Anna was about a foot or taller than any of the others their. Anna was lead with the first years to the Great Hall, she scanned the teachers table she spotted Professor Dumbledore, and he gave her a small nod of recognition.

She then saw Hermione Weasley, Ron Weasley, Sean McGovern Ginny's boyfriend, and Ginny Weasley. Last of all she saw Harry who was deep in conversation with Hermione and Ron while Ginny and Sean looked on intently.

"When are you going to tell us what happened and why you left?" Hermione demanded.

"Later, not now, the sorting is starting I want to watch. Look, come by my office tonight after dinner and I will clear some things up for you." He said seeing the looks on their faces. He was starting to get annoyed at all the questions, he should have expected it. He had expected it, he had known it was going to be like this but he wasn't ready. After 16 years of it being just him Anna and Katie not having anyone else he had gotten quite used to the quiet. Harry looked up and saw the back of his daughters head; he had wanted to see her before she got sorted.

"Wasn't that girl at Jase and Lily's birthday party?" Harry heard Sean ask Ginny, who nodded. Harry felt annoyed at himself, he felt bad for Anna having to stand up there obviously not a first year, and at least he was with people his own age when he was sorted. He was talked about because he was famous. None of these people knew Anna they only noticed her because she was taller than the others. They didn't know she was his only daughter who had the weight of the world on her shoulders. She had a huge secret she could not tell a soul. Not yet anyway.

"Fischer, Anna." Professor McGonagall called. Anna walked towards the stool and put on the hat and sat down.

Anna Fischer, I think not. Anna Potter is more like it, don't worry no one else will know. You are very powerful, and protective of the ones you love.

How can I be any of those things, I'm not powerful and the only people I ever loved are dead and I can't protect my dad.

You haven't been challenged yet, if tested you could do great good or great evil.
I am not evil I would never do that.


No you couldn't do that to your father. It best be GRYIFFINDOR.

There was applause and Anna took the hat off and headed towards the table and sat down next to Remus.

"We knew you would get in!" Sirius said patting her on the back. Anna grinned. She looked up at the staff table, she caught Harry's eye and she grinned at him. He winked but immediately turned his head to the next person being sorted. Anna was annoyed at her self for this, she was supposed to be keeping a low profile, and she defiantly wasn't supposed to be on winking grounds with the most famous wizard of all. She looked back to the sorting.

Dinner was very good and Anna continued talking to Remus, Sirius, Lupin, James, Jase and Lily. Alison was still giving her death stares.

"So Anna, what do your parents do?" Alison asked at what Anna took as an attempt to be civil.

"My dad travels and my mum died," Anna replied.

"Why did your mum die?" Alison asked while picking out a piece of treacle tart but before Anna could answer Remus said.

"Ally don't be so insensitive," Anna shot Remus a grateful look.

At that moment Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome to Hogwarts to all who have just arrived, Welcome back to all the others. We have a new defense against the dark arts teacher this year; many of you might know Harry Potter." There was sudden whispering; all eyes were suddenly on Harry. "We are very glad to have him back in our world at last; I might remind many of you that he is your teacher so try to keep the questions relating to the subject." With that he continued with his speech. When they were dismissed Anna followed Lily through the hallways to the common room and into the bedroom.