(AN: You know how this works. I don't own Harry Potter Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, nor anything else found in the exciting books by J.K. Rowling. I do own Anna, the Stones, and little Artemis.)
...***...
At dinner a few nights later, Anna sat in her usual seat with Marcellus, who insisted on being called Marc, and a few others in the older years. Schmidt and the other first year girls were giving her dirty looks, though they might have been somewhat justified. Anna had moved to the Slytherin side of the room during Potions, to the dismay of all in the room. The Slytherins had soon just shrugged it off, since she often whispered hints to them in class. Though she carefully sidestepped their questions on how she knew things like how to best hold the potion knife to get the most straight and even cuts.
Though the Slytherin first years stayed aloof and arrogant in public, they eventually were saving her a seat on the far side of the Potions class, deep in their own side of the room. Anna had spoken with Professor Snape, voicing her concerns over the safety of her familiar, and he had coolly assured her he would let her know if there were any potions that would cause harm to her "precious pet." Artemis now stayed in her satchel during the day, and Anna was never so thankful for the expansion charm.
"You be enjoying your classes, Anna?" asked Marc, his teeth gleaming as he smiled.
"Yes," she replied. "Though I really can't stand that Umbridge woman. There's something false about her. Have all the Defense teachers been like this?"
"No, during my first year, we had Professor Remus Lupin. He was really good, and most of us be liking him. But it came out at the end of the year that he being a werewolf, and that was the end of it. Didn't matter to the Ministry that he was taking the Wolfsbane potion, he be a wild, dangerous, dark creature, and not fit to be around folks. Last year, we had Professor Moody, a retired Auror. He be a bit touched in the head, if you ask me. He even used the Unforgivables on some of the students. Of course, Potter be saying that it weren't Moody at all, but a former Death Eater taking Polyjuice Potion. There was a report in the Prophet about that. But they say no one has lasted as Defense teacher for more than a year, two at the most."
Anna looked at him, stunned. Just then, they were interrupted by the arrival of Anna's favorite two redheads. "Fred! George! Good evening," she said, smiling. She could never stay down when those two showed up. The two boys sat across from her, identical grins on their faces. Anna looked at them carefully. "Is the lavatory still in one piece?" The two looked at her in surprise, then nodded. "Is Common Room on fire?" They shook their heads. "What did you do this time?"
"And what makes you think we did anything?" asked Fred.
"Because you have that odd look in your eyes that means you are either planning something or just pulled it, and you're waiting for the reactions," said Anna.
"I told you, George, that this one would be tricky," said Fred. "And how did you know which one I was? Our own mum has trouble, not to mention our brothers."
"Not sure," said Anna. "I just know. So, what are you two cooking up now?"
"We're actually trying to find volunteers to test our products. Our most promising is the Skiving Sweets. Trouble is, we keep making them a little too strong. Like the Puking Pastilles. You're supposed to eat one half to make you ill, then eat the other half once dismissed from class to enjoy your day, but we ended up puking so much we couldn't swallow the cure."
"And the Nosebleed Nougat had us going until we passed out from blood loss," added George.
Anna was quiet a moment, then leaned close. "I know this will sound mental to you, but have you thought of getting a little advice from Professor Snape? Tell him the truth: you've been using other Gryffindors, but they seem to be on to you. It sounds like you two are brilliant at potions to do these kind of things, and disguise them as sweets. A fun puzzle for a Potions Master."
"Is it true, then?" asked George, his shock evident. "About you getting into altercations with other Gryffindors, and the Slytherins letting you sit with them in Potions?"
Anna grinned, and it wasn't quite sweet. "I have the top score in the class," she whispered. "He even lets me bring Artemis to class, as long as she stays in my satchel so she doesn't get hurt. And it can't hurt to ask, right? Just go to him and say you have a question about a potions book you found in the library, or something. Swear to him you won't tell anyone what is discussed. You never know, you might be surprised. Just don't trick him into eating one, okay?"
The two Weasleys looked at her in shock. "Are you sure you're a Griffindor?" asked George.
"Well, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, that I definitely was cunning and sly enough. But they have strayed and now are more worried about blood purity than cunning and ambition. I told the Hat I wanted to be safe, and it said Gryffindor would protect me best."
She looked up to see three mouths hanging open in shock. "Something be telling me Hogwarts not ready for this one," said Marc. "I remember reading that the four founders made each House for whatever they valued most in the character. Slytherin thought cunning and ambition were the finest traits to have, while Gryffindor be preferring courage and honor. Lady Hufflepuff loved nothing better than loyalty, while Lady Ravenclaw sought wisdom and the eagerness to learn."
"I remember reading that, too," said Anna. "But none of those are good by themselves. What good is knowledge without the courage to put it to use? Or courage without the cunning to direct it? What use is all the ambition in the world if you climb to the top only to find no one loyal enough to stand with you? The Houses are meant to each balance the others, not fight and ridicule each other." She sighed. "It's going to take something beyond dramatic to bring them back."
Marc looked at the twins, "So, you be going to the Quidditch tryouts after dinner?" he asked.
"Yeah, we want to see who gets picked for the new Keeper," said George. "Angelina is the Captain this year, and I think the pressure is getting to her already. She about flipped when she found out Harry had gotten detention with Umbridge. He tried getting out of it for the tryouts, but the toad wouldn't budge."
Anna looked down the table where the youth in question was eating his dinner. She frowned when she saw that his right hand was red and irritated. What had happened? He didn't seem that clumsy. Had he gotten hurt while flying, or during Potions class? Anna shivered a little. Something was up, and she didn't like it.
...***...
Anna had decided to go with the others to watch the tryouts. It was rather fun; she sat in the stands with Marc and watched a handful of Gryffindors do their best to block shots made at the goal. In the end, Angelina chose Ron Weasley, the fifth year prefect, as the new Keeper. Anna shrugged. Whatever his faults, the young ginger had some talent. He needed a lot of practice, but he had a good chance.
Afterward, they all made their way back to the castle, listening to Fred and George teasing their younger brother most of the way. Anna quickly found a spot in the corner of the common room to sit down and get to work on her Transfiguration homework. Artemis happily played beside her, chasing a little feathered ball that George had charmed to roll around for the little kitten. Anna kept one eye on the rest of the room, watching for any that got too close.
The others in her year had backed off, so she was glad for that, but it was a bit lonely. Though she had been alone most of her life, so it was nothing new. She looked over her parchment, making sure everything was in order, then set it aside to dry. She had already completed her Potions and Astronomy essays. Now she just needed to complete the one for Defense, and she was done.
Stars above, she hated that class. It would probably be better if there was a more knowledgeable teacher, but there was nothing she could do. Professor Umbridge was going mad with power. All the "yes, Professor Umbridge", and "Good Morning, Professor Umbridge," like they were all five year old simpletons. Marc and the twins said it was the same in their own classes. She had taken to going to the library and reading books on defensive spells and counter-curses.
Finally, Anna finished the essay she had to write on the possible repercussions for underage magic. This was ridiculous. She decided she would go to the library this weekend and check on the Ministry's methods for detecting underage magic. There seemed to be little distinction between accidental magic and underage magic, at least as far as the Ministry seemed concerned. Apparently, it was up to the whim of the official that caught the alert at the Ministry to determine whether it was accidental or not.
Anna rolled her parchments up and tucked them in her satchel. She carefully scooped up a sleepy Artemis and cradled her to her chest as she climbed the stairs to her dormitory. Once inside, she stowed her satchel in her trunk for safe keeping and made sure the locking spells on the trunk were still in place before grabbing her night clothes. As was her habit, she climbed onto her bed and changed after she closed the heavy curtains, using a quick charm to keep them closed.
She snuggled into the soft bedding, making a note to see if the Softening Charm could be performed wandlessly, and slipped her wand under her pillow. Since that day when she first felt the magic from the wand flow up her arm and welcome her, she had not let her wand leave her side. Umbridge insisted there was no need to practice the defensive spells mentioned in their textbooks, but Anna knew better. Even if Harry Potter was wrong about the Dark Lord returning, there were other dangers. Greedy kidnappers, for a perfect example.
Anna shrugged her worries aside for now. They would still be there in the morning, and she needed some sleep. She curled on her side, Artemis purring as she snuggled against her mistress. That night, Anna once again dreamed of fear, and a woman's voice raised in anger. Nothing was quite clear; she couldn't make out what the woman was saying. But suddenly, a red light flashed, followed by pain, then she bolted upright, her breaths coming in heavy pants.
She cast a quick charm to check the time, frowning when she saw it almost five in the morning. There was no way she would get any more sleep tonight. She shrugged and grabbed a uniform from her trunk to change clothes, then quickly changed behind her curtains. She straightened her bed, as she did each morning, before grabbing her kitten and her satchel and heading to the common room. She planned on just sitting and enjoying the quiet, but found the room occupied already.
None other than Harry Potter was sitting on one of the big couches, staring into the newly lit fire. Anna looked at him, noticing how sad and tired he looked. Her uncles had often told her she could learn more from watching than anything else. This youth did not have any of the markings in his magic that alerted Anna to any wrongness. Anna stood silently, watching the boy.
Artemis squirmed loose and hopped to the ground. Anna was about to lunge after her, but the little black kitten trotted over to the couch and sat in front of Harry. After a moment, he looked down and saw the kitten. Anna stood back, watching. Harry had not turned enough to see her.
"Hello there," said the dark-haired boy. "Where did you come from?" He bent and let the kit sniff at his hands before carefully petting her head. Anna smiled. Kneazles were known to be able to sense unsavory people. If Artemis liked Harry Potter, he almost definitely was not a liar or a murderer. "Who do you belong to? I see you have a fine collar, so I suppose that means you are well loved." Artemis purred. "You like that? I kind of envy you. You have so little to worry about. You get to live in this brilliant castle, then you go home with your owner to a nice home, where you get a soft bed and delicious food."
Anna finally stepped forward. "I think you, of all people, should know things aren't always as they seem," she said, ignoring the way the youth jumped in surprise. "I see you have met my Kneazle, Artemis." She sat on the couch, leaving a respectful space between them.
"You're a first year," he said. "Anna Stone, right? You smiled at me at the welcome feast." He looked at the fire. "The others were all afraid of me."
"I read the articles from the Prophet," she said. "If that's what they hear all the time, I can understand, a little. Then again, I guess I'm a little odd myself."
He looked at her. "What do you mean? Is it because you are up so early?"
Anna smiled, still looking into the flames. "I don't put much belief into newspaper stories. They often show only one side, but you need to know all sides before you make a decision. My uncles taught me that. Observe and learn, then act."
Harry smiled a little. "Your uncles sound very wise. But what did you mean earlier? When you said things aren't what they seem."
"I live with my three adopted uncles," she said, wanting to trust this boy. "They took me in when my maternal uncle and aunt didn't want me anymore. They don't exactly live anywhere, so I moved around a lot during the summer. But they are very clever, and they teach me what they can."
Harry nodded. "So what are you doing up so early? Most first years like to sleep until the last minute."
Anna shrugged. "I'm not most first years," she replied. "I'm used to being up early. My uncles are often up to greet the sunrise, and I got used to it."
A sound at the archway behind them drew their attention. The two Gryffindor prefects were just leaving the dorms. "Harry," said Ron, coming to them. "How long have you been up?"
Harry shrugged. "Not long," he answered. "Just chatting with this little first year. This is Anna and her kitten, Artemis."
Anna stood, picking up Artemis. "I need to get to the Great Hall for breakfast," she said. "Good day, Harry Potter."
Harry smiled a little. "Just call me Harry." Just then, Marc came down the stairs, sending her a bright smile.
"Anna, girl, it good to see you. You be going to the Great Hall now?" he greeted warmly.
"Yes, I wanted to get there ahead of the crowd today," she said in return.
"Ah, I be hearing about you and the others in your class."
"Wait, is there something going on?" asked Hermione. She was frowning in confusion. "Wait a minute, I've heard of you. You've been causing problems in the first year classes." She drew herself up importantly. "You need to stop arguing with your year mates, Anna. They are supposed to be like your family while you're here at Hogwarts. If there is a conflict, you should come to me or another prefect to help settle it."
Anna looked at her. "I did not know there was any conflict remaining. They leave me alone, I leave them alone. If this is about me sitting with the Slytherins during Potions class, there is no rule saying I must sit in a certain area, and Professor Snape has not said anything against it."
Hermione looked a little taken aback. It seemed Schmidt was trying different means to cause problems, or maybe one of the others in her year. The boys seemed to be angry with her for working with the Slytherins in the double classes. Anna sighed in irritation. She had asked her year mates about the apparent strict rivalry between the Houses, but they had just looked at her like she was mental. When she asked why the Gryffindors and the Slytherins weren't supposed to interact, they had just said that was how it always was. It was worse than pointing out the flaws in the Ministry's campaign to discredit Harry Potter.
"Marc?" she said, turning away from the prefects. "Do you want to go to breakfast? I need to feed Artemis, and I still have a little trouble with the stairs."
Marc nodded and led her out the portrait hole. Behind her, she could hear the prefects and Harry talking, but ignored it. She walked silently beside Marc for a while. "Okay, I know something be wrong," he said suddenly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Anna bit her lip. Maybe, if she told him, he would be able to help her stay safe from her so-called family. "Not here," she said. "If you really want to know, we need someplace quiet and safe, where other ears won't hear."
Marc nodded. "Do you want to be telling Fred and George?" he asked. "I know they care for you. And there is no one better to find hidden places than the two of them."
Anna nodded. "I'll tell them in the Great Hall. I have the feeling I'm only a small part in whatever is going on, but I would like to have trusted friends standing with me if it comes to it." Marc nodded and led her towards the Great Hall.
...***...
Breakfast passed quickly, and Anna found a nice place in the courtyard to finish off her homework and start reading on the next potion they would be brewing. The twins had looked worried when she mentioned she wanted to talk with them without other ears hearing, but had assured her they knew where to go for privacy. They had whispered to her that they had an idea to slip down to see Professor Snape, but would need her help.
After her homework was complete, Anna decided to go spend some time in the library. She had a few things she wanted to look up, and a quiet Saturday would be the perfect time. True, there would most likely be a lot of Ravenclaws in there, but they didn't bother her much. She quickly found a spot in one corner, well away from others, and settled in with the books she had picked out and a roll of parchment. She quickly moved through the books, making notes of what she had found, and going to the shelves to exchange the books. She enjoyed a quick lunch in the Great Hall, then hurried outside to the Black Lake to meet the others.
Marc and the twins were already there, waiting for her. "What's this all about, then?" asked Fred.
Anna looked around. No one else was anywhere nearby. She sat on the rocky shoreline and let Artemis out to explore a bit. "It's a long story," she said. "And it's not a fun one to tell." She took a deep breath. "My name is not Anna Stone. Don't ask my real name, I don't know. The only clue I have is this emerald, which a jeweler charmed to display my initials."
They nodded. "That's the usual charm they use to carve initials," said George. "It will also change as needed. For example, if a family decided to perform the blood adoption ritual on a child they had taken in, then the child's initials would change. Or if a woman married and took her husband's name."
Anna nodded, watching the ripples on the lake. "I was raised being told I was Anna Stone. I found out just before I got my accepted to Hogwarts that I my maternal uncle and aunt had kidnapped me from my father, and they had been blackmailing him into sending them money for years. I don't know what they would have done when it was time for me to go to school, but I heard them say they had been getting a large sack of Galleons each month."
The three sat and looked at her, stunned. "Why didn't your father try to find you?" asked Fred.
"From what they said the day I ran away, he tried. The Stones had come up with some sort of very confusing system of transfers so the money was hard to trace. If I knew his name, I would contact him. I wish I could get to Gringotts to have them perform a lineage spell. I know the Goblins would see this as theft, and they hate thieves."
Marc spoke up. "You a runaway? How come the Ministry not after you?" he asked.
"I'm from America," she replied. "The U.S. Department of Magic is probably keeping this quiet. They want to send me back to the Stones. I won't let them send me there. The Stones are horrible. I want to find my father, and I want to stay with him. If I can't, I'll stay with my uncles."
Fred leaned forward. "Maybe we aren't the only ones that should go speak with a certain potions master," he said.
Anna looked at him in confusion. "I know I can trust him, but shouldn't I go to Professor McGonagall? She is my Head of House, it would make sense, right?"
The twins looked at each other. "She's going to find out sooner or later, George." George nodded.
"Professor McGonagall is a great witch, and she's great at teaching Transfiguration, but she tends to fall short in the Head of House duties," George said, oddly serious.
Fred picked up in their usual manner. "She focuses a lot on winning the House and Quidditch Cups. She does enforce the rules on her House, but she also tends to listen to whatever the headmaster tells her. When we came to her with our problems in first year, she swept them aside and dismissed us. That's the main reason we learned to pull the pranks we do, to defend and deter would-be attackers. She's also a bit prejudiced against the Slytherins. Never gives them points for good work, takes them away very quick."
Anna nodded. "Explaining why Professor Snape so blatantly favors his little serpents," she said. "To restore a bit of balance the best way he can."
"There's also the fact that Professor Snape is supposed to be one of the world's best Occlumens," said Fred. At her confused look, he explained. "It's one of the two mind magics. Legilemency is used to read the victim's mind, though it's not very gentle. Occlumency is it's opposite, shielding one's mind and hiding your thoughts." He shrugged. "Granger isn't the only Gryffindor that likes a good book."
"In more basic terms," said George. "It means that any secrets you tell him stay with him."
Anna lay back and stared at the sky above. "I'll think about it," she said. "I don't like that Umbridge woman one bit. And I'm not too sure about the headmaster, either. But Professor Snape seems to have no problem with me sitting with the Slytherins in his class. I'll try and arrange to speak with him privately." She glanced over at the twins. "We better get going if you two want to get to practice on time." They all stood and headed for the Quidditch pitch.