Chapter 12- Imperiously Powerful

The happiness at winning the game lasted at least 2 weeks. Harry was so happy Anna had caught the snitch he gave her the day off training for the week. By the end of October the bliss had worn off and everything was calming down again, Anna however was going to be remembered for a very long time.

Their last defense against the dark arts lesson of the week was held on Friday just before lunch. Anna sat at the back of the room in between Lupin and Remus.

"I know it is illegal to put the Imperious curse on another human being but for reasons that I can not discuss with you we will be practicing it today. For this I need you all to concentrate very hard on keeping your own mind." He said and they began taking notes on ways to throw it off, even though Harry knew it was only really possible to throw the curse off if the mind was strong enough. When they had done that he asked for a volunteer. When nobody raised there hand he said.

"You're all going to have it done to you so whoever goes first get it over with first." Finally James raised his hand. Harry motioned for him to go up to the front of the class which he did.

"Ok I want you to concentrate on what is about to happen, I know in real life if this ever happened you wouldn't have time to concentrate but this is the first time and we are only doing it so you know what it feels like." Harry said and James stood in front of him looking quite sacred.

"IMPERIO," Harry shouted and at James who looked as though he suddenly went into a daze.

"Jump up and down and sing the national anthem," Harry said and when James did everyone laughed. The curse was taken off and James was blushing madly. "I haven't heard it sung so well in a while. Maybe better luck next time," Harry said grinning. Harry went through the rest of the students leaving Anna, Remus and Lupin until last. The other students couldn't throw it off either and by the time it came time for Lupin's turn he was holding his side laughing so much. He didn't have much luck either and that stopped him laughing, Remus almost did and everyone applauded. "Anna," Harry said calling her up smiling like he knew something no one else did.

"Remember concentrate," he said pointedly and Anna thought there was something else hidden behind his words. Anna closed her eyes and breathed deeply suddenly she heard Harry say the curse and it hit her body.

Do a handstand, Harry's voice said.

Concentrate, a different but familiar voice said.

Do it NOW! Harry's voice said again.

Concentrate the other said. Anna wanted to know who the voice belonged to it sounded so familiar. Anna felt herself lift her hand to put them above her head but as she did everything came back to her, suddenly Harry was thrown across the room and she fell backward pushed by what felt like a shockwave. She opened her eyes and looked up to see people staring down at her. She got to her feet looking around at Harry who was struggling to his feet as well he was clutching his stomach.

"That was interesting," he said and then coughed. "I think we can end the lesson there for today. Anna I need to speak to you."

"Go on I'll catch up," Anna said to Lupin and Remus who had hung back to wait.

"You sure?" Lupin asked looking concerned. Anna nodded and they left. When it was only Harry and Anna were left Harry ran across the room in a few quick stride and pulled Anna into a bone crushing hug. He started talking quickly.

"I never knew you could do that—I mean it's great this is great this means you will never be possessed. What did it feel like? How did you do it?" He said Anna sat down feeling slightly light headed and told him what happened and about the voice that told her to concentrate. When she finished Harry's smile had been replaced by a look of contemplation.

"What?" she asked when he didn't say anything.

"Nothing… well it's just that you've never done anything like that before."

"Like what? What did I do?"

"Nothing really usually most people when they throw of the curse it just stops most people don't throw their attacker across the room."

"Well I guess that's good for me," she said grinning. "Anyway I should go have dinner, see you tonight for training?" Harry nodded his brow furrowed.

"I wonder what Professor Potter wants to talk to her about?" Lupin asked as he Remus, Sirius and James walked down the marble steps into the Great Hall for dinner.

"Probably what happened in class today, what else could it be? She stays most of the time to get the work to catch up," Remus replied.

"Maybe, but Anna is one of the best in defense against the dark arts so what happened wasn't that surprising. Have you noticed she never lets any of us wait for her? It's always 'I'll meet you in the common room', or 'the great hall,' if it was work then why not let one of us wait for her?"

"Lupin, mate, I think your blowing this a bit out of proportion," Sirius said as they sat down and began to fill their plates with food.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange," Lupin asked looking at Remus for support. Remus shook his shaggy head 'no' so he turned to Sirius who also said no. Finally a bit panicked he turned to James who looked pensive.

"I think you might be on to something," he said.

"Oh, well maybe I am wrong then," Lupin joked earning a punch on the arm from James.

"Lupin don't be a prat, I think she is having an affair with him," three forks clattered on to three plates.

"James you did NOT just say that," Remus said in a low voice.

"Don't tell me it never crossed your mind?"

"No!" was the chorus of replies from Remus and Sirius. After a short pause Lupin said.

"Maybe—"

"Romulus, Anna is not having an affair with Harry Potter," Remus said using Lupin's first name which anyone rarely did.

"Don't call me that. But—"

"Come on Lupin, think about it reasonably. She's 18 years younger than him, he's old enough to be her father and he's a teacher, there are laws." Sirius reasoned.

"That hasn't stopped some people," James said.

"It's not unheard of," Lupin added.

"It's just ridiculous," Remus said.

"What's ridiculous?" Anna said sitting down next to Lupin.

"Err—" Lupin said while the other's three looked at each other uncomfortably.

"That Professor Potter hasn't defeated Voldemort yet," James said and the three other's let out a collective groan. This was not the best thing to say!

"It's not his fault, you try vanquishing a Dark Wizard," she said and Lupin noticed suddenly looked quite strained. He thought James shouldn't have said what he just did as it obviously struck a nerve. He suddenly wondered if he was right, it had started off as a joke but now he wasn't so sure. As he thought a horrible feeling settled in his stomach and he found himself looking at Professor Potter with great dislike. The rest of the evening Lupin's belief that Anna was having an affair with their teacher grew. She seemed very snappy with everyone as though James' comment had affected her in someway.