THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING. I am so happy right now. I can't believe you guys reviewed! I thought you all hated me by now! But anyway PLEASE don't hate me!! I don't like it when people hate me. Anyway, there are a few "Hint Hints" in this chapter. So remember, notice everything!

•••

A very snowy January came from nowhere, ending Christmas break and causing all lessons to be restarted and all the students to return to school. Naturally, this limited George and Anna's time together seeing as they were in different years and in different houses. And of course, the arrival of Hermione Granger brought the arrival of high-intensity studying, especially for Anna, who had O.W.L. exams coming sooner than she would like. Anna was currently studying Charms with Katie Bell and Matt Kelley, a Ravenclaw in their year that Katie had been going out with since the Yule Ball.

"Wait, so what exactly is the purpose of a Cheering Charm?" asked Katie for the umpteenth time.

"To cheer people up," said Matt exasperatedly. Anna smirked.

"No really?" said Katie sarcastically. "Honestly Matt, I'm not a complete idiot, but what's the exact words the book uses?"

"Ahem. The book says, and I quote; 'the purpose of a Cheering Charm is to bring cheer to one who requires it'. Which could be translated as, 'to cheer people up,'" said Matt.

"Oh ha ha ha, honestly Matt you treat me like I'm two!" said Katie. Anna snorted; she couldn't help it. Katie and Matt both looked at her quizzically.

"I'm sorry guys, but you two seriously need to stop like you're some crazy old married couple! This bickering is driving me insane!" exclaimed Anna. Which was true, they had been bickering about some rubbish for nearly a half an hour. Matt muttered a quick apology. Katie, however, looked at Anna, with an almost concerned expression on her face.

"Don't all people that like each other act like this at times?" she asked.

"Are you implying that George and I secretly despise each other?" asked Anna.

"You mean you two never bicker about pointless rubbish?"

"Well, we have yet to," shrugged Anna. She looked out a nearby window to see a fresh blanket of snow covering the ground.

"I'm going for a walk, I love the snow!" said Anna, packing up her things. "You two lovebirds wanna come?" she asked. Katie shook her head.

"I hate the cold," she said with a slight shudder. Anna looked at Matt with an almost amused expression on her face. He smirked

"Sorry Anna, but I'm obliged to stay with my girlfriend," said Matt, winking at her. Anna snorted.

"You're so corny. See you at dinner," said Anna, leaving the library.

It was rather windy out, so went up to the Slytherin common room and grabbed her green and silver scarf. About ten minutes later, she was out on the grounds, enjoying the small flurries that were coming down and lightly tickling her cheeks.

"Mind if I join you?"

Anna turned around and saw Harry walking towards her while trying to fix his own scarlet and gold scarf.

"No problem," she said. He smiled at her.

"So what's wrong? I mean, I never see you without Ron or Hermione," she said. Harry grimaced.

"They're being themselves tonight, if you get my drift," he said.

"Ah, I see. They're constantly bickering about some pointless rubbish that you know full well neither of them actually care about, but they still bicker just for the hell of it, cause it seems to them like it's the best way to treat someone that you really like," said Anna.

"Er-yeah that's exactly it. How'd you know allthat?" he asked.

"One, it's common knowledge. Two, Katie and Matt are the exact same way," she said. Harry smiled understandingly.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Still, as much as they bother me, I'd love to spend all summer with them. You'll be at the Burrow this summer won't you?" asked Harry.

"I'm gonna try to escape the orphanage before my birthday at the very least," said Anna with a grimace.

"When's your birthday?"

"August first."

"Hah, July Thirty-First."

"How ironic," said Anna sarcastically. Harry laughed.

"What orphanage do you live at?" asked Harry.

"Just some hellhole in Surrey," said Anna with a grimace.

"The Cromwell House in Little Whinging?" guessed Harry.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" asked Anna, genuinely surprised.

"I stay right around there. My Aunt and Uncle live on Privet Drive," replied Harry.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Harry with a grimace.

"You hate it there, don't you?" asked Anna apologetically.

"Yeah, but I've heard the Cromwell House is worse than being raised by a Death Eater," said Harry with a small laugh.

"Hey, be fair! Look at Draco Malfoy, obviously being raised by a Death Eater isn't so bad," she said.

"True. You know that little playground on the corner of East and Twenty-third Street?" asked Harry.

"Yeah."

"If you can manage, see if you can meet me there sometime this summer. It gets lonely at Privet Drive," said Harry with a hopeful smile.

"I'll try," promised Anna. Her smile faltered for a minute.

"You seem stressed. Or is it just cause the holidays went by so fast?" asked Harry.

"Well, I won't deny that the holidays went by incredibly fast, but it is O.W.L. season. For me, at least. So that's probably the main cause of my 'stressful' mood. I've had trouble sleeping as well," answered Anna. Harry nodded.

"You have seemed bothered for the past week. If you don't mind me asking, what's on your mind?" asked Anna. For some reason, Harry felt he could trust Anna with knowing the real reasons for being 'bothered'.

"Everything. This Quidditch tournament is draining all my energy, but I still keep having nightmares about well, Voldemort," he said. Harry looked up at Anna. He smiled to himself. Just as he had expected, Anna didn't even flinch when he said Voldemort's name. Anna looked at him curiously.

"What kind of nightmares?" she asked.

"It's always the same one. It starts in this graveyard, but then I go into a house. Volemort's there. He isn't exactly human, but he seems to be sitting in a large chair, with his snake. And then there are two men with him-" he broke off at the look of dawning comprehension on Anna's face.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Was Peter Pettigrew one of the men?" she asked. Harry was shocked.

"Yes, how do you know-?

"He's the one who cut off his own finger to frame Sirius Black, right?"

"Yes, but how'd you know he was in the dream?"

"Because I've been having the same dream since Christmas," said Anna. "That Ministry guy, Barty Crouch, his son was a Death Eater. That's the other man in the dream."

Harry stopped walking. He was completely and totally in shock.

"Come here," he whispered to her, grabbing her arm and bringing her over to a nearby bench. He brushed a small beetle off the bench and sat down. (Hint Hint)

"How do you have the same dreams I do? Dumbledore says I can only see these things because of the connection I have with Voldemort," said Harry, gesturing towards his scar.

"I have no idea! I didn't even know you had these dreams," Anna replied.

"Do you have any form of connection with Voldemort?" asked Harry. (A/N pst…foreshadowing hint hint)

"I don't think so. There's something like this I've come across while studying for Divination. Can I try something?" she asked. Harry looked at her.

"What exactly-"

"Oh no it's nothing harmful, just a quick palm test," she reassured him. Harry was still hesitant.

"Er-okay then," he said. Anna took his hand in hers gently. All of a sudden a strange feeling swept over him. A small burning sensation was tingling his palm.

"Does this hurt?" she said cautiously.

"It burns, but not in a painful way," he replied. Anna nodded. She gripped his hand slightly tighter. At once he began feeling immense concern, but he had no idea why.

"What's happening now?" Anna asked.

"I'm feeling really concerned and worried, but I wasn't before," said Harry.

"Were you feeling really confused and slightly scared before?" she asked.

"Er…yeah. How d'you know-" started Harry, but he was silenced by a look Anna gave him.

"Think of something completely random," said Anna, looking like she finally understood something.

"Er…okay," said Harry as he thought about the fact that he hadn't visited Hagrid in a while.

"You haven't seen Hagrid in a while?" asked Anna.

Harry was starting to understand at least a little bit of what was going on. "Yeah, well that's what I was thinking. Are you saying you can read my mind?" he asked.

"Not exactly. It goes both ways, but only if we're making physical contact. It's called 'Affectus Iunctio' whichmeans 'Emotion Connection,'" said Anna. She squeezed his hand slightly.

"Try directing thoughts to me," said Anna. Here goes thought Harry. Anna smiled encouragingly.

What am I supposed to be thinking about? thought Harry.

Anything at all said Anna's voice, but in his own head.

Wait, so can you and I communicate through our minds? thought Harry.

Only if we're making physical contact.

Oh. Why does this connection happen though?

I'm not positive, I've never fully studied it.

Oh I see. But what've you and I got in common?

I haven't the faintest idea. I'll try reading more about it so I can learn why it happens.

Do you think this is why you can see my dreams though? Only because we're not making any physical contact at night.

I'm not sure, but I think it must have something to do with it, don't you think? ( A/N No pun intended!)

Suddenly, there was a flash from out of nowhere. Harry looked around wildly. Anna, upon realizing they were still holding hands, quickly let go and stood up.

"Come out, I can see you!" she shouted. Harry turned to see that she was looking at a shadowed figure behind a tree. The figure slowly emerged, and Harry realized the flash must've come from a camera.

"Rita Skeeter," said Harry with a grimace.

"Harry Potter, what a delight it is to speak to you again!" replied Rita with a bright smile.

"Give me that camera," demanded Harry.

"Why should I? This picture could be on the front cover of the Daily Prophet on Monday!" Rita exclaimed.

"Give it here, I will not stand for any more stories like the one about my poor broken heart after my 'affair' with Hermione ended," said Harry scathingly. Anna snorted.

"I read that rubbish. You should consider writing for The Quibbler. Not that The Quibbler's rubbish, but they never tend to publish anything actually believable or all that worth reading if you aren't in need of a good laugh. So I think you'd be perfect there. I can even talk to the editor's daughter to see if I can get you a job if you want!" said Anna in mock-cheerful voice. Rita looked at her and flushed angrily. Obviously Anna had thoroughly insulted her.

"Alright missy, I'll leave you two in peace, but bear in mind that I have sources at Hogwarts that could give me plenty of dirt on you!" said Rita.

"Hmm…harsh one. I'm scared out of my mind right now, it's rather unfortunate you can't tell. I look forward to fearing the morning owl post from now on, though," said Anna sarcastically, grabbing Harry's arm and leading him away from Rita, back towards the castle.

"You'd better watch yourself, she's love to get some dirt on you after that little episode," warned Harry.

"Hah! Don't worry, I can handle myself. Plus, I haven't got any 'dirt' so anything she says is bound to be a pointless lie anyway. Promise me you won't let me die of laughter on Monday when the Owl Post comes and I see the headline she came up with?"

"Promise," said Harry with a small laugh.

•••

OOH Anna's gotten herself an enemy. Any ideas on what Rita's 'scandalous'

Headline will be?