Anna POV:
I woke up feeling dazed and confused. Noting my surroundings as my mind slipped into awareness.
'How had I gotten to the hospital wing?' I wondered, suddenly remembered falling asleep on my bed in the Gryffindor tower.
I turned onto my side and looked at my surroundings once more, taking them in again. Now noticing the wing was completely empty except for me. I half expecting someone to show up and pop out from behind the divisor to say just kidding. My body received a familiar ache in my muscles as I tried to get out of the cot. I had only managed to get into a half sitting, half laying position when suddenly I heard dozens of pairs of hurried footsteps rushing back into the infirmary.
Surprised, I let myself fall back onto the squeaky mattress, making me cringe in pain as I did so. I felt heartrate spike up as I heard the footsteps begin to come near my location. A sharp pain began to radiate on the side of my head, I fought against it, almost smiling at the relief I felt as it wash away.
"Anna." The smooth voice said.
My head snapped up at the voice, turning to look on the direction I heard the voice come from and let put a relieved breath. Tom stood at the foot of my bed, a relief prominent on his otherwise calm expression on his face.
"Tom? Oh, thank Merlin, it's you. What the in bloody hell happened? How did I get here? All I remember is falling asleep on my bed, back in the Gryffindor dormitories, then waking up here. What exactly happened?" I asked, trying to be calm but failing miserably.
"I was actually hoping you could explain what had happened to me." He said, sounding just as confused as me.
"What do you know? You must know something. Anything. At least how I got here. How long have I been here?" I asked him anxiously.
"A couple of weeks. Today is the day before the O.W.L.S, they will begin tomorrow. All I know is that I left you in the entrance of Gryffindor tower that night, and the next day Evans, Prewett, MacLaggen, and Blake were all screaming bloody murder, stating that you wouldn't wake up. People were beginning to think someone had slipped the Draught of the Living Dead potion we brewed that day in double Potions. When the antidote didn't work we knew that it was something else happening. So, what happened? Were you seeing something?" He asked, worried as he sat on the chair next to the bed.
"I can't remember a lot. I just remember you walking me to the Gryffindor tower, and changing before I went to bed. The only weird thing that happened was the feeling I got as I got into bed. It felt as if I was falling into an endless abyss, the more I clung on the harder and faster I fell. I-I saw something too but I-I'm not sure if I should explain it." I said, feeling my brow wrinkle in confusion, my lower lip begin to tremble, and my eyes closed on their accord.
"Does it involve me?" He asked, leaning closer to me, pulling up my chin to make me look at him.
I nodded once, feeling myself begin to lose control of my emotions. Not as badly as the first time just a bit, enough to make the pitcher full of water shatter, and then potions that sat on the bedside table were sent to the ground. I took a deep breath and open my eyes again.
"Ah. Miss. Riel how are you feeling you gave us quite a scare there. That was quite a nap you took there, mind you, not as long as we feared. First thing's first, how are you feeling?" Headmaster Dippet asked.
"Better, actually feeling rather sore. Not just that, I feel as if a freight train hit and ran over me. I do believe I am completely healthy though." I said, plastering a fake grin on my face, causing Tom coughed to cover his snicker.
"Glad to hear it. Tom, here, hasn't left your side, well aside from going to class and to sleep in the dormitories but other than that he was practically glued to your side as soon as he could. He was actually the one who administered the antidote to the Draught of the Living Dead..." Dippet said, an amused smile appearing on his face.
I heard Tom's breath hitch as the Professor revealed this, his face full of relief. Noting as I turned the his face was turning crimson, along with the his ears. He looked in every direction of the wing except in my direction. Now it was my turn to snicker at his expense.
I rolled my eyes at all the looks I was receiving as I walked to class later that morning. The attention didn't affect me at all. What did was how the group was now acting. In fact, it only fueled my determination to excel and pass the O.W.L.S, which I was sure I did. Tom and I ended up tying for the highest scores in all the year.
It had been almost two months since the whole incident happened. I could tell Tom was getting anxious as time passed. I hadn't told him what I had seen, but I had a feeling that if I told him he'd try to change something, that's what scared me more than anything. More people could end up dead.
I was in the library researching for a paper we had to do in potions. Professor Slughorn had given us this paper as an option, and seeing as I missed two and a half weeks of school days, I decided to take the option. Though, I regret it instantly. He informed me, I was to write a paper on the Love Potion, its effects, and the antidote. He had given me permission to brew the potion, and do an experiment with it, just so I could get the full understanding of the potion.
So, I chose to brew it while Slughorn was called to a staff meeting, after all classes finished for the day; with Tom there, who suggested he help me brew it. I rolled my eyes at him as we both prepared the ingredients to the potion. I had already written down part of the paper.
Tom and I worked together carefully adding each ingredient as instructed in the book. We then waited and watched as a spiraling steam began to rise from it, and caught the mother-of-pearl sheen the book said it had; as I stepped in for a closer look I began to smell the scent of pine, and cedar with a hint of spare mint. It made my head fuzzy and my skin began to heat up. I took a glass dropper, and dropped some on the back of Tom's neck. He followed by doing the same.
"We should be fine, all we have to do is avoid each other for the rest of the day after this and it'll be ok." I said, watching the steam mesmerized.
I looked over at Tom, and gasped as I realized he was closer than I expected him to be. I could practically feel his body heat on me as he stepped closer to me. Suddenly, he leaned in and kissed me. It was tender at first, and then increased, turning into a rough, passionate kiss. He pressed me into the stone wall, his mouth never leaving mine. I felt as his hand trailed down my leg, and felt as his fingers curled around my knee, as he pulled my leg up and wrapped it around his waist. I was almost woozy with want, a soft whimper escaped my lips. I could feel him pressing hard into me. We both jumped apart, gasping for air, when we heard a gasp, followed by glass breaking.
The shock on both Tom's and Slughorn's face were priceless. I let out an accidental giggle, covering my mouth trying to suppress the laughter that was trying to escape from me.
"Pro-professor t-the paper is done. It's over by the potion. Would you mind covering it?" I asked, suppressing my laughter.
He waved his wand and the lid flew onto the cauldron filled with the potion. The room was hot due to the brewing of the potion, and Tom's and my previous activities. I almost giggled as I saw Tom's uncomfortable expression.
Once we were outside, with the wind hitting us, I completely lost it. I laughed, and laughed hard at the situation, unable to stop or control the giggles and snorts that escaped me. I was practically rolling on the floor, watching Tom's expression became serious.
"It isn't that funny, now, stand up and follow me." He said, his tone firm.
"Oh, come on. The effects only last one day, calm down. Quit being such a baby. You won't lose anything valuable. I promise." I said, rolling my eyes at him as he pulled me up and dragged me towards the astronomy tower.
"Whatever, be quiet or else we'll get caught." He muttered, pulling me along with him.
"You're a prefect. How will you get in trouble?" I mused.
"Just be quiet or we'll get caught." He muttered.
I stopped talking, already knowing why he brought me here. He wanted an explanation, the truth of what I saw, what was so strong to keep me unconscious for two and a half weeks.
"So, are you going to tell me yet? I want to know. If it affected you enough to be out of it for almost three weeks, then I have to know." He demanded, crossing his arms over his chest, and clenching his fists tightly under his arms.
I sighed, "Fine, I saw...us. You in the future. I don't know why but I think a hide in the future. Our... our children, you find out about them when they turn... eleven. I am not even sure how this happens but I know that it happens when you decide to rise and strive for power." I said, not making eye contact.
I heard a soft gasp, and suddenly felt as Tom's arms wrapped around me. "So, what you're saying is that if I decide to continue with what I am doing that you'll leave. Or what? So, you're giving me an ultimatum?" He asked.
"It looks like it." I whispered, leaning my head on his shoulder.
He stayed quiet, I realized a moment later why. He was stunned into silence, so shocked that he didn't feel anything but the shock itself.
"Let's go, it's getting late." I whispered taking his hand and walked back towards the school. I had a plan in mind, one that I hoped worked.
Tom was guiding me guiding me towards Gryffindor towers when I suddenly changed directions and began to go towards the Headmaster's office. I walked purposefully, almost leaving Tom behind.
"Diadem." I muttered, as the statue began to move.
"What's going on? Why are we going here? It's getting late. " Tom muttered, in wonder.
I ignored him and knocked on the wooden door. I heard a quick 'come in' and walked in closing the door behind me.
"Professor Dippet." I greeted, smiling shyly at him.
"Annamarie, my dear, how are you feeling?" He asked, from behind his desk.
"Great, Professor. I, actually, wanted to talk to you about something..." I said, as he held his hand out, silently telling me to take a seat.
"What is it, my dear?" He asked.
"I would like to get resorted. I feel I belong in a different house." I said, confidence making an appearance.
"Why is that, my dear?" He asked, his bushy eyebrows raising up so high they almost disappeared into his salt and pepper hair.
"I feel I would benefit in being resorted. I want to be resorted into Slytherin." I explained.
"Why is that?" He asked, again. Making annoyance bubble in my stomach.
"Well, to be honest, I feel that I am better related to and connect more with Slytherin, he was after all resourceful, cunning; just because he didn't like muggleborns or half-bloods doesn't mean he was evil, he was just misunderstood." I explained, innocently looking down at my hands.
He nodded in understanding. "You are completely right, my dear. If you will feel better getting resorted into Slytherin then, by all means, go right ahead, my dear. Let me get the sorting hat for you." He said, disappearing up the stairs.
He came back with the three-legged stool and the sorting hat; waiting for me to make my way over to it and sit down.
It began to sing the boring song that it sings every year when first-years get sorted. Before I interrupted its chants.
'Difficult, very difficult. How is that you are cunning and resourceful yet wise and clever. You're daring and brave yet loyal and fair?' It asked me as it read my mind.
'Check my memories, you shall see why.' I replied back to it.
An heir of all four? That's practically unheard of yet somehow it doesn't surprise me. You are here to get resorted am I correct? You'd be great in any house you are put in. Though I know you have a sharp mind, I advise you to watch your heart. With this I'll agree with you, you do belong in...
"Slytherin!" it called out.
I laughed as Professor Dippet took the hat and put it back where it belonged with a wave of his frail looking hand. He nodded at me, silently congratulating me, before he spoke once more.
"Anna, my dear, you may go now. Your things will be moved from the Gryffindor Tower and into the Slytherin's house. Good luck, my dear child. I bid you a goodnight." He said, nodding his head at me in dismissal.
Tom was pacing in the outside of the office as I walked out. When he saw me, he pulled me into a fierce hug, and kissed me just as fiercely on the lips. "What was that all about? Are you ready to go back to the Gryffindor tower?" He asked me, as he took my hand and began pulling me towards the tower.
"Actually I've been resorted, Tom, as of tonight I am now a part of the Slytherin house." I said, as he froze in his tracks, and turned to look at me with wide eyes.