Chapter 64 – Last Efforts
Harry and Ginny entered their home after coming back from the hospital for the first time. Josh was asleep in Ginny's arms. They brought him upstairs and put him down to sleep in his new room. Once they were out the door Ginny turned to Harry.

"I'm sorry for what I said in the delivery room."

"It's ok you did some pretty weird things while you were pregnant I just figured that was one of them."

"Oh you evil—" she was cut off as Harry kissed her.

"I have to go into the office for a few hours I will be back soon." Ginny nodded and Harry Apparated.

Harry arrived at his office, ignoring the piles of paperwork on his desk. He walked down the hallway to Ron's office, being congratulated on the way by his co-workers.

"How's it going?" He asked without as much as a hello.

"It's going." He paused. "It will be hard to get this all into action but it will work… as long as Anna has that potion you told me about."

"She has it. I got a letter from her last week telling me she had finished it."

"Good, good. Do you know how it will work?"

"Someone has to take it, and when they do I will know what to do."

"Who is going to take it?"

"Anna says she has someone on lined up for it."

"Will that person be alright?"

"I don't see why they wouldn't be. I mean Anna's not going to give out a potion that would kill them in the end." Harry said, but doubting his words slightly.

Ron raised an eyebrow at Harry and went back to planning the final assault on Voldemort.

"I have an announcement to make," Dumbledore said standing up one morning in May at breakfast.

The whole school went quite when Dumbledore had something to say, it was worth listening to.

"Because of the sad events that have been happening this past few years at school, some students have asked if we can have a ball. At first this didn't seem like a good idea but I think it would be a break from all the sadness and despair we have all been feeling these days. The ball will be held on the 1st June. Everyone is invited."

Excited chatter broke out immediately, and it was made even worse by the arrival of the owls.

The weeks went by in great leaps, as does everything when you are dreading something. Soon the Easter holidays were over with and the 7th years were starting their NEWT's. Anna, Lupin, Remus, Nicky, and Sirius had formed a study group and were often found outside under a beech tree testing each other. Anna was making the most of the time she spent with her friends. Hermione had kept her informed about what Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix were planning.

The ball was approaching, Anna found herself looking forward to it, she was going to take this night as her own, and not think about saving the world she was just going to think about being a teenager. There was a Hogsmeade visit the week before the ball, Anna and Nicky went together leaving the boys to do their own things. Anna hadn't had such fun in a long time. They got their hair done and went shopping for accessories, and robes for Nicky as Anna already had ones she wanted to wear.

Before anyone knew it the exams had come and gone, Anna thought she had done well enough. However, for once she did not really care what her results were, all she could see was the bigger picture. She had been waiting her whole life to help defeat Voldemort, and now the end was in sight.

Anna and Nicky sat on Nicky's bed, eye shadow, lipstick, jewelry and other make-up was sprawled out in front of them. Alison stood in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. She was already in her dress robes and doing her hair. Alison kept glancing at Anna and Nicky out of the corner of her eye.

"That one I think, your robes are blue so that color would go," Anna said in response to Nicky's question. Nicky nodded and thought about it for a moment.

"Right so that color, this blush, this lipstick, and this sparkly stuff?" Nicky questioned.

"Yep, looks good," Anna said. Alison snorted at them. Anna and Nicky rolled their eyes and ignored her.

They both changed into their dress robes, Nicky's were a deep midnight blue that suited her really well. Anna's were her mother's wedding robes. The good thing about Wizarding robes was that they could be used for any occasion. Anna brushed out the creases in them and went about trying to do her hair. Alison threw her wand down frustrated and went to sit on her bed.

"Need some help?" Anna asked, not looking at her.

"Not from you," Alison said.

"Well I am the only one offering so if I don't help you, no one will," Anna said. She wasn't trying to be mean to Alison; in fact she really wanted to settle things with her.

"Fine," Alison said shortly. Anna went and stood behind Alison and looked at the picture she was trying to mimic. It was some sort of complicated bun. Anna tried to follow the directions the best she could.

"This is really pretty," Anna mused. Alison didn't say anything, just looked at Anna in the mirror. She seemed to be contemplating thanking her.

"There I think it's done," Anna said. Alison looked in the mirror and seemed satisfied.

"Thanks," Alison said.

"You're welcome," Anna replied and went back to her bed to finish her hair. Before she had picked up her hair brush Alison spoke to her again.

"Why are you so nice to me?" Nicky looked between Anna and Alison her mouth open slightly.

"Because I believe there are more important things than grudges."

For the first time ever, Anna and Nicky watched as Alison broke down and cried in front of them. Between her sobs they heard her saying something.

"I'm such a horrible person, what I did to you, Lupin, Eric, everyone, Beth, oh Merlin Beth, I miss her so much. My daddy, he died too." It was a while before she calmed down enough for Anna to speak to her.

"Alison, look at me," Alison looked up, luckily she hadn't applied mascara yet. "Why did you cheat on Lupin?"

"Because I was bored, with him, with everything, I wanted to be bad. I didn't realize it would hurt this much. I'm so sorry for everything." She said. I'm sorry, I can be nice. I can."

"I believe you," Anna said kneeling in front of her.

"Why? You're so accepting and nice and everyone loves you, no wonder Lupin's in love with you. I don't want him back, don't worry I won't try to break you up again. How can you be so nice to me after everything I did to you?"

"It's ok," Anna said, and she hugged Alison. After a while of Alison sobbing in her arms Anna pulled back from the hug. Nicky was still staring in shock at Alison.

"Come on your hair is going to get all messed up." Anna said. Alison gave a sort of sobbing laugh and stood up. "Wash your face. We have a ball to go to."

Lupin, Remus and Sirius were waiting at the bottom of the stairs for their dates. It was a common thing to wait for girls but it was never fun. Lupin and Remus watched as Sirius's date came and they went to the Great Hall together. Finally after what seemed like an eternity two figures emerged from the stairs. Lupin sniggered at Remus whose mouth was hanging open.

"Ready Remus?" Nicky questioned. Far off her usual sports girl clothing she was dressed in her dark blue robes, matching eye shadow, blush that brought out her cheek bones, her lips sparkled liked her eyes. Remus held out a hand and Nicky put hers in it. They walked out the common room together. Lupin held his breath as he waited for Anna to come closer; she was hidden in the shadows. He knew what she was going to wear she had showed him the robes a while ago when she had got them. They were beautiful by themselves.

When his golden headed angel came out of the shadows she was beyond expectations. He had never seen her look more radiant. Her golden curls framed her face and glittered, just like her eyes were. The robes fitted perfectly clinging to her thin figure showing off every curve of her body. She floated towards him looking incredibly shy.

"You're my angel," Lupin said.

"And you're my protector," she replied. They kissed briefly and then went out the common room and down to the Great Hall. They entered the Hall and were shocked at the transformation off it. The ceiling mirrored the starry night outside with out a cloud in the sky it was an amazing sight. Hundreds of candles softly lit the Hall, many tables were placed around but leaving enough space for dancing at the front near the staff table. Where the staff table usually stood it had been replaced and turned into a stage. A twenty-something wizard was stood on the stage singing. His curly brown hair was familiar, but Anna couldn't place it.

"Dance with me," Lupin said. Anna let him lead her to the dance floor. He took her by the waist and pulled her close to him. Anna leant her head on his shoulder and moved to the music. It wasn't in English and Anna finally recognized the singer. She looked at the stage and grinned. She whispered to Lupin and then broke free of him to find Dumbledore.

Anna knew everything was set, the final plan was underway, and there was nothing more she could do. Except one thing. She had only just had the idea while she was dancing, she knew she could reach some people if she had the opportunity but there was no way she could talk to the whole school individually.

"Professor," Anna said coming up to where her headmaster was sitting.

"Ms. Potter," Dumbledore replied.

"I wondered if I could have a word." Dumbledore nodded and Anna told him what she wanted to do. When she had finished telling him, he beamed at her.

"Excellent idea, but it would mean more if it came from you."

"I was afraid you would say that," she replied.

"Don't worry. I'll set it up for you. I'll come and get you when it's time."

Anna walked back to where Lupin was sitting. He held out some pumpkin juice for her. She took it and smiled at him.

"Thanks for inviting me here tonight," the singer said in his American accent that had half the girls drooling on themselves when he spoke. "You all look amazing; I have just been informed by the Headmaster that one of the students here wants to say something to you all."

Anna felt her heart thud in her chest as the tall, very good-looking American Wizard looked around the Hall for her. She walked slowly up to the front of the Great Hall. Taking a deep breath she walked into the spotlight.

"Thank you," she said to the singer. She spoke loudly and clearly to the Great Hall.

"Good evening," her voice was suddenly loud, someone had magnified her voice. She looked around the singer was smiling at her.

"Good evening," she said with more conviction. "I apologize for interrupting the amazing voice we were just listening too, and I apologize for what I am going to say. I more than anyone want to forget about everything tonight and just be a teenage girl. However, I have to take the chance when it is so obvious. You are all well aware of the battle against evil that is taking place outside these walls. I want to plead with you all tonight, help. Help me fight. I am Harry Potter's daughter I was born to do this. You were not. None of you have any responsibility to fight. You do however, have a responsibility to not let this world, the world you live in, to fall under the power of a dark, dangerous and evil wizard. Don't let him control you, fight for what is yours. That's all I ask of you, stand beside me and help me."

She nodded at the singer and walked quickly off stage. Lupin was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. He picked her up swung her around and kissed her on the lips. Applause broke out almost everywhere.

"I'm with you," Lupin whispered in her hair. After her speech many people came up to her and told her they would help in anyway they could. Her reply was the same.

"If I fail, fight then." Many of them didn't not know what she was talking about but she promised them that they would soon enough.

While the singer was taking a break he came over to where Anna, Lupin, Nicky, Remus, Sirius and his date were sitting.

"Good speech," he said to her.

"Thanks," she said.

"I believe in you," he said and smiled at her, he held out a hand for her to shake, before she could restrain herself, Anna had gotten up and hugged the American wizard. He seemed quite taken back but returned the hug.

"Maybe you could write a song about me?" Anna joked.

"Maybe I could," he replied. But how about for now, I'll sing a song that you request."

"I love all your songs, I don't think I could choose," Anna replied.

"Ok, I'll dedicate one to you—"

"Oh I know," Anna said before he could finish. He nodded and walked away when she whispered it in his ear. As he got up on stage again Anna led Lupin to the dance floor.

"Last one I promise," she said.

"This song is for a very special young lady who is going to save the world, literally."

The first few notes of the song started to play and Anna already felt the tears filling her eyes. The tears were good though, they made her feel human.

Who can say for certain?
Maybe your still here,
I feel you all around me,
Your memory so clear,

Anna wasn't sure she was even still moving she had forgotten about everyone around her, forgot where she was. It was just Lupin and her. He kissed the top of her head and she clutched him tighter never wanting to let go. She didn't want this night to end. For now she was just a normal witch slow dancing with her boyfriend.

Deep in the stillness,
I can hear you speak,
You're still an inspiration,
Can it be?
That you are my forever love?
And you are watching over me from up above.

Fly me up to where you are beyond the distance star,
I wish upon tonight to see you smile if only for a while,
To know your there.
A breath a ways not far,
To where you are.

Anna looked up into Lupin's eyes the passage way to his soul. They were filled with tears. Sighing deeply she laid her head on his shoulder. She savored every second of the song, and the night.

I am gently sleeping,
Here inside my dream,
And isn't faith believing,
All power can't be seen.

As my heart holds you,
Just one beat away,
I cherish all you gave me everyday,

Cos you are my forever love,
Watching me from up above,
And I believe that Angels breathe,
And that love will live on and never leave.

Fly me up to where you are,
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight to see you smile if only for a while,
To know your there.
A breath a ways not far to where you are.
I know you're there,
A breath a ways not far to where you are.

The American Wizard finished singing and even he had to wipe a tear away from his face. He wasn't sure there was a dry eye in the room. Even the hardest Slytherin hearts had been touch, no matter how much they didn't want to. He knew he had accomplished something extraordinary by being here.

Anna felt like a teenager again once the night was over. She spent it talking to Nicky, Remus, Lupin, Sirius, his date and even Alison at one point. Many people she had never spoken to came up and said hello to her. She left the Great Hall that evening in high spirits.

A/N: Disclaimer the song is called To Where You Are and is sung by Josh Groban.