A/N: I do not own anything Harry Potter. Here's a long one this week. Also, I've written a new one-shot called Sirius Black: Father to Be about Sirius finding out that he's going to be a dad. Hope you enjoy the story and this chapter. Happy reading! XO

Chapter 21

Harry, Hermione and Annie made their way out the front doors and walked down to the lake. As they took laps around the lake, Harry and Hermione talked about Harry's placement in the Triwizard Tournament while Annie ran ahead skipping rocks and flipping herself upside down.

Harry laughed as he watched his cousin run amok. "She's like a puppy," he observed smiling over at Hermione.

"We'll get her a leash later," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "We really need to talk about who put your name into that Goblet. And I've brought parchment and a quill so you can write to your parents."

"I know and thanks," Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Well any ideas as to who could have done it then?"

"I know you suspect Snape but I really don't think it's him. It really could have been anybody over the age of seventeen," answered Hermione with a worried expression on her face.

"I bet it was Karkaroff," Annie yelled back as she turned around to walk backwards.

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione skeptically.

"I mean-"

Annie was cut off as she tripped backwards over a tree root twisting her ankle and smacking her head on the ground. She sat up and started to rub the back of her head with one hand and grabbing her ankle with the other. Harry and Hermione rushed forward and kneeled down at Annie's side.

"Are you okay?" asked Harry, concern flooding his face.

"Absolutely," she said confidently gabbing Harry's hand as he helped her to her feet. She set her injured foot gingerly on the ground and began dusting off the back of her robes. But as she did so, she was overcome with dizziness and toppled right into Harry who caught her before she hit the ground. Hermione gasped and she helped Annie stand upright.

"Come on," said Harry swinging Annie over his back. "We're taking you to Madame Pomfrey."

Annie huffed grumpily as they set off for the castle but she wrapped her arms tightly around Harry's neck and he carried her off.

"Annie, what did you mean by Karkaroff putting Harry's name in the Goblet?" asked Hermione looking over at her friend who was riding piggy-back.

"He's a Death Eater. Well an ex-Death Eater anyway according to Uncle James. Don't you remember him talking about Karkaroff, Harry? Professor Moody was one the Aurors who brought him into Azkaban," she said into his shoulder starting to nod off.

"Oh yeah, I do remember dad telling us about him," Harry said hitching Annie higher up on his back and jerking her awake as they walked into the castle. "Didn't Sirius say he saw them bringing him in?"

Annie nodded into his shoulder and tried to fall asleep again and Hermione shook her awake once more.

"Harry we really need to hurry. She's starting to lose consciousness," said Hermione placing a hand on her friend's back.

Harry and Hermione hurried through the corridors to the Hospital Wing but stopped suddenly when they heard Harry's name being called. They wheeled around, Harry almost toppling over from Annie's weight, and found Professor McGonagall coming toward them.

"Potter, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office. Your father is here to talk about the Triwizard Tournament," she said looking over his shoulder at Annie who was grinning stupidly up at her professor. "What is wrong with Ms. Black?"

"We were taking a walk and Annie tripped over a tree root and smacked her head on the ground and twisted her ankle," Hermione answered glancing sideways at Annie.

Annie started giggling uncontrollably and pointing at Professor McGonagall. "She has three heads," she gasped through fits of laughter.

"Take her directly to Madame Pomfrey," said Professor McGonagall ushering the group forward. "I will tell Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Potter where you are." She walked away back to Professor Dumbledore's office and Harry and Hermione continued on to the Hospital Wing.

When they arrived Madame Pomfrey came bustling over and Harry dropped Annie onto a bed. At once Annie started to jump up but Harry pushed her back down.

"Come on, Harry. Let me go," she said smacking his arm. "I'm absolutely fine."

"You know, I liked you better when you were falling asleep," he said keeping a firm grip on her and smiling.

"Ms. Black, didn't I just see you in here last week?" asked Madame Pomfrey now bending over Annie's injured ankle and tapping it with her wand. "What's happened to you now?"

"I'd like to know the same thing," said James stolling into the Hospital Wing. He stopped at the foot of Annie's bed and watched as she struggled to get up.

"Hey, Harry! Look, it's Uncle James and Uncle James and Uncle James!" she exclaimed giggling and pointing at her uncle. Hermione groaned and shook her head while James just laughed and sat down on the end of the bed.

"I'm waiting for a response, please," Madame Pomfrey said sharply busily wrapping a cloth bandage around Annie's ankle.

"Well, Poppy, Poppy and Poppy-"

She was cut short by Madame Pomfrey pouring a potion into her mouth and looking over at Harry and Hermione.

"She tripped backwards over a tree root and smacked her head on the ground," explained Hermione. "Will Annie be okay, Madame Pomfrey?"

"Yes, yes of course," she said now checking the lump that had formed on the back of Annie's head. "She just has a broken ankle which will be healed in a matter of days and another concussion. Here, Ms. Black, take this," she handed a small bottle of potion to Annie who swallowed it whole. "I swear I don't know anybody who has had as many head injuries as you. How are you now?"

Annie smacked her lips and smiled up at the group huddled around her bed. "Excellent work, Poppy. I'm not seeing three of you anymore," she said swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Now if you don't mind, it's almost time for lunch and I'm hungry."

"Not so fast," said Madame Pomfrey as James and Harry pushed Annie back onto the bed. "You are to stay here until I return and you will leave when I say you can leave." She walked away and went into her office where she shut her door. Annie sat back against the pillows, crossing her arms behind her head and placing her feet up on James's lap.

"So how are you, Uncle James?" she asked giving him a cheeky smile. Hermione sat down on the bed next to Annie's and Harry, figuring it was now safe to leave her side, took the chair next to Annie's bed.

James shook his head and chuckled quietly. "Another concussion?" he said reaching over and ruffling his niece's hair. "Can I tell your father about this one this time? Or are we still keeping these a secret?"

Annie laughed. "Nah, you can tell him this time, it's cool." Annie looked over at the office door. "I wish Poppy would hurry up with that potion already."

Just then, the door opened and Madame Pomfrey made her way over to them carrying a corked flask in her hand.

"Here you are, Ms. Granger," she said handing Hermione the potion. "You know what to do: a small cup-full of this potion every three hours."

Harry and James helped Annie to her feet as Hermione pocketed the potion before standing up.

"Thanks, Poppy. I'll see you soon," Annie called over her shoulder as the group made their way out of the Hospital Wing.

They walked along the corridor until they reached Dumbledore's office. James gave Annie a hug goodbye before saying the password. He and Harry waved to Annie and Hermione as they took the spiral staircase up to the office. Annie and Hermione continued to make their way slowly to the Great Hall for lunch. They walked over to the Gryffindor table, Annie limping along behind Hermione, and took seats next to Lee and Fred, Annie opting to sit on George's lap.

"Now what did you do?" asked George pecking Annie on the cheek.

"I tripped over a tree root, broke my ankle and concussed my head," she said filling up a goblet with pumpkin juice. "Pass me those peas, Lee?"

"Another concussion?" said Fred and George in unison.

"Annie you should start wearing your Quidditch helmet around," laughed Lee handing over the dish. "Maybe then you won't hit your head so much."

"An excellent suggestion, Mr. Jordan," said a voice behind him making him jump. Professor McGonagall was standing behind him and looking down at Annie who was perched on George's lap. "Ms. Black, you will report to my classroom tomorrow night at seven o'clock for the tutoring session. There are about ten students coming."

"You got it, Professor," said Annie smiling. "And were you being serious about the helmet?"

Professor McGonagall gave a slight smile. "It wouldn't hurt." She walked away toward the staff table and Annie laughed.

"No, no, no, no! You can't make me! See, I'm all better!" Annie was running around the Gryffindor common room as Harry and Hermione chased after her.

"Annie, honestly!" said Hermione sending a trip jinx in her direction. Annie fell to the floor and Harry rushed forward and held her down as Hermione sat on top of her and poured the potion into her friend's mouth.

"I don't need that stuff anymore. I really am all better," she said as Hermione rolled off of her and Harry let her go. She sat up and gave Harry a pleading look.

"Really? You're all better?" he said ruffling her hair. "Explain to us then why you kept spacing out all through Herbology this morning?"

Annie stuck out her tongue and stood up. She walked over to the armchairs by the fire and picked up her Muggle Studies essay. She sunk down into a chair and started to scratch out sentences. Harry and Hermione joined her each watching her out of the corner of their eyes. At half-past six George walked over to Annie and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up and smiled.

"Ready to go?" he asked holding out his hand. She grabbed his outstretched hand and he pulled her up. They started for the portrait hole but Hermione stood up and stopped them.

"Wait!" she said rushing toward them. She handed George the flask of potion and he pocketed it. "Give it to Professor McGonagall. She has to take it at eight o'clock."

"You got it," George said kissing the top of Annie's head as she groaned. They walked over to the portrait hole but were stopped once again, this time by someone tugging on the back of Annie's robe. She turned around and found a small first-year boy looking up at her.

"What's up, squirt?" George elbowed her in the stomach and she smacked him back.

The first-year's face went red. "Well we were wondering if we, me and Emily, could walk down to Professor McGonagall's classroom with you?" he said indicating a little blonde girl in pig-tails and himself.

Annie looked at George who shrugged. "Sure, we don't mind." They climbed out of the portrait hole and made their way down to the Transfiguration classroom on the first floor. As they walked down the multiple staircases George kept a firm grip on Annie's hand, making sure she didn't stray away.

"So what is your name, kid" Annie asked the boy while swinging George's arm.

"It's Nathan," he answered nervously.

"Nathan? Nathan Todd right? Your sister is Mackenzie?" Annie asked when they arrived on the first floor.

"Yeah, but she's out of Hogwarts now. Did you know her?"

"Sort of. She was a friend of a friend. Oliver," she added noticing George's confused look. "She works for the Prophet now, right?"

"That's her," Nathan said proudly. "She told me that you get in trouble a lot."

"She doesn't lie," Annie said laughing along with George. "And let's see, Emily Duke. Proficient in Potions and has a crush on Kevin Whitby of Hufflepuff, am I right?"

Emily blushed and Nathan laughed. "How do you know so much?" she asked as they rounded the corner and walking into the Transfiguration classroom.

"You talk about him all the time," Annie said smiling at the girl. Emily blushed an even deeper shade of red and sat down at one of the tables with Nathan. "Evening, Professor. I brought along some strays, hope you don't mind."

"Good evening, Ms. Black, Ms. Duke, Mr. Todd," greeted Professor McGonagall looking up from a stack of essays on her desk. "Mr. Weasley, what are you doing here?"

"Just along for the walk, I s'pose," he answered giving her a genuine smile. He fished the potion flask out of his pocket and handed it to Professor McGonagall. "Hermione said she has to take this at eight. She knew if she gave this to Annie, she wouldn't have taken it. I'll be back at eight-thirty." He and Annie shared a kiss before Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and he winked before leaving the room.

Annie walked to the front of the class and sat on top of one of the desks and waited for the rest of the first-years to show up. Professor McGonagall went back to grading her essays while Emily and Nathan talked quietly to each other. Annie took out her copy of the Daily Prophet and continued her cross-word from that morning. When all of the first-years arrived Annie tucked the paper back into her bag and Professor McGonagall put down her quill and stood up to address them.

"Well, now that you are all here I would like to introduce your new tutor, Annie Black," she said gesturing to Annie who waved from her seat atop the desk. "Ms. Black is here to assist you in your schoolwork and spellwork. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Ms. Black, they're all yours."

"Thanks, Professor," Annie said as Professor McGonagall went back to her work. Annie looked around the room at the first-years who were sitting in an awkward silence, unsure of what to do. "Well, what do you kids need help with? Or am I sitting here wasting my time when I could be taking a leisurely stroll about the castle?"

The first-years looked around at each other until a brave Ravenclaw girl raised her hand. Annie smiled.

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

"It's Miranda and I think some of us here need help with switching spells," she said nervously putting her hand down.

"Switching Spells, huh?" Annie jumped off the desk and went over to the blackboard picked up some chalk and wrote the words on the board. "Alright, who can tell me the definition of Switching Spells then?" She looked around the room at the many blank faces. "Anybody?"

This time a Hufflepuff girl raised her hand. "Aren't they just spell that switch two different things?" she asked.

"Exactly," said Annie writing the definition on the board. "Amanda, right? Your brother is Ernie Macmillan?" Annie walked over to the bookshelf and pulled the textbook off the shelf. She brought the book over to the desk and turned to the page with Switching Spells.

"Yes and when I told him that you were tutoring us he said that he's never even seen you open a book," Amanda answered crossing her arms over her chest.

Annie laughed and looked up from the page. "Ernie said that? What a card! You tell Ernie that tonight you've all witnessed a miracle: I'm looking at a book," she said. The first-years and even Professor McGonagall laughed. "Hey, I read. I read the Daily Prophet and Which Broomstick? and I got two books for my birthday this year."

"Oh and what two books did you get for your birthday?" asked Professor McGonagall forgetting about her work and looking over at Annie from her desk.

"Well, Hermione gave me a biography on Connolly of the Irish National Team and Remus gave me a book called The Canterbury Tales," she said smiling. "And I actually read them."

"Well, they are very good books," said Professor McGonagall giving a slight smile. "But please get back to Switching Spells."

"Yes, Professor." Annie went back to the tutoring session, helping the first-years work on wand movements and pronunciation of the spell. At quarter-after eight George, Fred and Lee walked in and sat in the back of the classroom and started folding paper airplanes and making them race around the classroom with their wands. Professor McGonagall, annoyed with the disturbance, dismissed the first-years and asked Annie to stay after.

"I was very impressed tonight," she said as Annie hitched her bag over her shoulder. "You handled yourself very well. I am awarding twenty points to Gryffindor."

"Thanks, Professor McGonagall. See you tomorrow." Annie turned to the door and George, Fred and Lee got up and followed each waving goodbye to their teacher as they left.

"So where to now?" asked Fred slinging an arm around his brother and Annie.

"Well I hear the dungeons are nice this time of night."