Chapter 16 – A Threat Returns

Soon November ended and December began. Harry and Ginny had been spending as much time together as possible. The only time Anna ever spent with her father alone was during their self defense training in the evening and those had dwindled down to 4 nights a week. Soon Harry felt she knew enough to hold her own and they had stopped altogether. She didn't mind him seeing Ginny and she had her own friends now. On a snowy day in the middle of December Harry called Anna back at the end of a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.

"I'll meet you at dinner." Anna said to Lupin and Remus as they stood waiting for her and they left. "What's up?" Anna asked approaching the desk. She was mildly concerned as this was the first time in over 3 weeks Harry had spoken to her. He waved his wand and the door shut behind Anna. Harry, Anna noticed, was looking very pale, and tired.

"What's wrong," she said suddenly realizing he have never looked worse.

"He's back," Harry said simply sighing.

"What? Who? Voldemort? How do you know?" Anna exclaimed sinking into the chair.

"I know because my direct connection with Voldemort tells me so," Harry said pointing to his forehead.

"But… he can't be… It's to soon… I'm not ready," Anna said struggling to find words.

"He is… but this is what we are meant to do, as long as we are together we can't fail," he said moving around to Anna's chair and kneeling in front of her. Anna looked up her father's eyes so alike her own.

"Dad, this is the first time we have spoken in 3 weeks. How are we supposed to be together if we are so wrapped up in our own stuff? No, listen," Anna said as Harry started to argue with her, "you have been spending a lot of time with Ginny and I have been spending that time with my friends. We can't spend time together without people getting suspicious; I think it's time we tell everyone we are related." Harry sighed he knew this was coming. He knew it must be hard for her especially now, he always thought she would do something extreme and tell everyone she was his daughter but she never did. He new she wouldn't no matter how much she hated being someone else, not being able to get close to anyone.

Anna knew it was a lost cause before she even started. "Ok, sorry, I should know by now."

"I know you hate this but I only do it because I want to protect you… like I couldn't protect your mother." He finished sadly. Anna looked up at him; he had tears welling up in his eyes. She suddenly realized that he was right; she couldn't believe she ever thought he was trying to do anything but protect her. "But it won't be long now," he said. Anna nodded but when she did she felt a sharp pain in her head, just as Harry clutched his forehead.

"Ahh," they both said at the same time.

"What in Merlin's name was that?" Anna asked as she felt like her head was about to spilt in two.

"That would be my connection to Voldemort," he said not looking at Anna still and clutching his head.

"But… why do I feel it?" she asked.

"What? You do?" he said suddenly looking shocked. Anna nodded, rubbing her now throbbing head. "How come you never mentioned it before?"

"I didn't get it until now," she said.

"Are you sure? Have you had any headaches?"

"Yeah actually I do get occasional pains in my head but they were nothing compared to that."

"Well that was the worst one I have had since you were born… you know I think we are connected you can feel my pain, and emotions."

"That's why I always know when something is wrong?" Anna said realizing that she did always know when something was wrong or when Harry was upset or excited or nervous. She realized another first for the second time that evening they had a very special relationship that went beyond father and daughter. That's why Harry needed her to help destroy Voldemort.