Annie's trip to the hospital wing after her fight with her best friend a few days earlier had cooled her budding relationship with Jerry. Although they remained together as a couple, she pulled back her feelings into a comfortable cocoon in her mind. She push hard to isolate herself, but Jerry pushed back harder, refusing to give up on her.
A new Potions Master had been engaged to serve as a temporary replacement for the missing Draco Malfoy for the remainder of the year. His disappearance and the attack on the Potters' son resurrected memories of dark times for the older staff members, and talk of an investigation into the return of the Dark Lord was quickly squashed within the faculty. Security, however, had been tightened to the level imposed during the last Wizard Civil War.
The older students prepared for their OWLs and NEWTs in a flurry of activity, while the fourth years and younger merely had normal end of year examinations. Annie retreated to the library in preparation for her examinations, knowing no one would disturb her in that sanctuary. But as had become the new norm, Jerry Weasley accompanied her nearly every day. Today, however he had Quidditch practice in preparation for the end-of-year match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw to decide the House Cup.
She needed to study for her Astronomy and Divination exam, two of her weaker subjects. However, after several hours of fruitless effort, she felt compelled to read Hogwarts, A History. She searched for details during the years her parents were students so she could learn more of Albus Dumbledore's role in her life.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore - Date of birth is unknown, but assumed to be in the spring of 1844, and his only known relative, Aberforth Dumbledore had been reported as missing since near the beginning of the Second Wizard Civil War of 1994.
Albus Dumbledore had also earned recognition as the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. He also gained prominence for his discovery of the twelve uses for dragon's blood and for his work on alchemy with his friend Nicolas Flamel. In the years that followed, he accepted the teaching post as Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1938. Albus Dumbledore served the Ministry of Magic with distinction in the defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, earning the Order of Merlin, First Class before resuming his academic pursuits. In 1958, he accepted the position of Headmaster of H ogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At the end of the Second Wizard Civil War of 1994, he accepted the position within the Ministry as the Minister for Magic until his reported death on the first at 11:30 in the morning of May 2009.
Annie looked at that date; it was her exact time of birth. She found another volume that detailed his life, but it did not shed any new information on his part in the war with her parents. Her frustration at failing to solve this puzzle fueled her desire to dig deeper, but the school library was devoid of the details she sought.
Annie reached into her father's old rucksack and pulled an old black leather bound book. She'd tried to read it before, but she never fully understood the text. None of it made sense: The descriptions of far away lands and tales of past adventures were without foundation.
The idea of knights serving as guardians of peace and justice intrigued her. The tales left visions of faraway lands as alien and mystical to her as her world was to Muggle children. It didn't seem rational to her; the names were so unusual, even for her world.
A noble order of protectors unified by their belief and observance of their power hearkened back to a more civilized, classical time in history. Their order is ancient, spanning over a thousand generations. As the Republic thrived and grew over the centuries, these knights came to serve as guardians of peace and justice.
Headquartered on Crescent, the knights trained, studied, and planned from their impressive Temple, a towering edifice rising high above the surrounding structures in the city. They are governed by the High Council of Twelve - all of them Masters - who contemplate the very nature of their power.
The origins of the order are forever lost to time, but much of their early history has been recorded in specialized information modules that can only be activated by those so talented, and exploring its deepest confines requires the skill of a trained Knight.
Crescent - there was another place mentioned, she thought as she thumbed back a few dozen pages.
"Here it is," she said. "Corrieban, some far off land or ancient kingdom." She read further, trying to identify they exact location to no avail. She was quite puzzled because the book contained writings from several authors; two identified placed she knew, but the first was as foreign to her as if it described living on the Moon.
She closed the book and laid her head on the cover before she closed her eyes. Maybe she'd absorb the information as she napped.
The places she read began to focus into her mind, and ancient buildings and people strangely dressed passed before her. She was unable to understand a single spoken word, as each individual seemed to converse in a different language or dialect only they knew.
Wizards from a distant time, she thought, seeing one holding a massively thick wand. She stood before a towering building that resembled a temple of sorts; people of all ages walked past. Children in small groups followed a single adult; each wore a robe that flowed as they walked.
She walked to the main gate and entered the massive steel doors. Once inside, she found herself standing inside the Great Hall of the school. The outer most walls were missing, but workers labored to repair the gaps in the masonry.
"No, Helga, all the tables must be the same size. I do not care if Salizar thinks his house should be larger," a tall man with shoulder-length auburn hair said to a slightly plump woman.
"Godric is right, Helga. You can't accept everyone in your house," the other witch said.
Annie watched the conversation with keen interest, but the voices grew faint as the people faded from view. The world around her remained silent, and the light of day began to fade into twilight. All images left her thoughts as she slept.
A hand gently stoked her hair and a soft voice whispered in her ear, "You need to wake up, we need to talk."
She raised her head from the manuscript and looked into dark eyes set in a handsome chiseled face framed by jet-black hair. The young wizard's black cloak hung from his neck. His long, thin fingers softly caressed her cheek.
"You found my book. I'd hoped that someone I could trust would find it and keep it safe," he said.
"You look familiar," Annie said.
"My name is Tom. I've spoken to you in the past," he said.
"Are you a dream?" She felt a strange, new sensation twist in her stomach, much the same as when Jerry first kissed her.
"No, not a dream. For now, I cannot exist in your conscious thoughts. I have tried to reach you before; but I had been prevented by those wishing to withhold the truth from you."
"Why me? What's special about me?" she asked, her head jerked over in a nervous spasm.
"Family helps family, which is why I need your help. We are cousins separated by prejudice. Your parents and those that have aided them in the past have sought to murder me and have seen to the death of my family," Tom said. His face turned stone cold at the revelation.
"I don't understand," she began. But he stopped her.
"Of course not. Do you expect the entire truth to be told by those who have plotted for nearly a century to steal what is our birthright? I can help you restore what has been taken; and once balance has been restored, we both can share the rewards," he said.
"Your grandfather's father betrayed my father and stole my birthright. Aided by those who claimed to act in the name of righteousness, he discredited me after murdering my family. They ingeniously shifted the blame to my uncle, sending him to his death in Azkaban. No one believed anything I said or did to bring that truth to light," Tom added.
Annie felt his icy cold boney fingers on her cheek; she felt a warm trickle run down her chin at his touch.
"Remember, Harry, we need to locate these other objects before anyone else discovers them," Hermione said while they quickly walked together to Professor McGonagall's office. She was hoping everything they've learned was wrong.
"I still think you should have stayed with her until she woke up," Harry said.
"Madam Pomfrey gave her a potent Dreamless Sleep potion. She'll be unconscious for a day at least - maybe two," Hermione said.
"Still, I don't feel right leaving her alone," Harry replied.
"She's far from alone. Jerry, Arty, and Ben are with her. Jerry won't leave her, that boy's quite taken with our daughter," Hermione replied. "I'm more concerned with what I couldn't sense when I tried to mend her injury."
"Love, you search the office," Harry said. "I need to search the Chamber; there may be something we overlooked the last time we were there."
Hermione shook her head, "No, I won't let you go there alone; you need someone else with you. Do remember the last time you went there alone?"
"Yes, I do, but that was nearly thirty years ago, I'm more careful now," he replied.
"Absolutely not. We'll search it together after the office. This should be quick. I expect we won't find anything here," she insisted. "Besides," she added, "you might not be able to identify a Horcrux on your own."
"Gnome felt that dagger is possibly a Horcrux. I would feel better if that one item were finally destroyed. I don't want it to hurt any one I love," Harry argued.
"It won't. We'll search it together, and together we will destroy all the Horcruxes Riddle left. I won't let you take any more risks then necessary. You made a promise to me, and I intend to make sure you honor it," Hermione said.
"What promise?" Harry asked.
She laced her arms around his waist and held her husband. "That we would be together forever. I won't risk losing you," she replied.
A gentle kiss to her forehead was his reply. She turned the chaste kiss into a deeper one..
"Darling, I think we should get this over with before a student catches us snogging outside the Headmistress' office," Hermione cooed.
Harry simply nodded and paused a moment to catch his breath. He lightly tapped on the door with his knuckle and paused again.
"Come in, I've been expecting you both," Professor McGonagall said from the other side of the door.
"Professor, we just left Annie asleep in the hospital wing. Although she's physically better, I'm afraid her emotional state is in question. She's got too much of her father in her and won't tell us what's really troubling her," Hermione began.
"There's a strong chance she's sensitive to Tom Riddle's presence, which may well be one reason the sorting hat put her in Slytherin," Harry added.
"I never expected that possibility, but you may be correct in your assumption. I will discuss this with Professor Stevens and whomever I appoint as Head of Slytherin next year about transferring her to Gryffindor at the beginning of next term. For now, I suggest she stay in the quarters you have been using. Shall I have Benjamin stay with her?" the Headmistress offered.
Hermione thought for a moment. "Yes, it may be best to have her brother stay with her for the remainder of this term."
"Professor, she's been through quite a bit the past fortnight. I would feel better if we had everything arranged before we told her. We'll tell her since she's having stomach issues, having her out of the Slytherin dungeons would be better for her immediate health," Harry added.
"Harry, I think there's another issue you both need to address," Professor McGonagall said. "I know how painful the past has been for you both, and I look on you not as former students, but as family. I think she needs to know her heritage as well as your history. I've had concerns about your past requests to shield your children from knowing the details, but she is fifteen and very strong willed, not unlike the both of you."
"Annie and I have started that discussion. She is aware of some details," Hermione replied.
"As much as I would prefer to put it all behind us, Professor McGonagall is right," Harry said. "Trying to shield them from our past may have prevented them from being prepared, much the same as what happened when Professor Dumbledore was not being completely honest with us. We may have done more harm then good."
"There's a great deal that could cause more harm to her emotionally. I really don't think now is the time for this," Hermione said rejecting the suggestion.
"You're reacting as a mother protecting her young, and I understand your concerns," Professor McGonagall replied.
"We could spend time this summer telling her what has happened to us, so she knows and won't be shocked to hear or read about the past," Harry said.
Hermione began to shake her head again, but looking into his eyes, she felt his fear. She sighed deeply. "Maybe you both are right, but I want this business we have at hand finished once and for all before we traumatize our children with the past. So, with that, there are objects we need to find, Professor. They may be here in your office or in the Chamber."
"Objects? What sort of objects?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"That is more between us and Abraham Kristiansen. If he is correct, there's a chance we could put a quick end to what's been happening," Harry said.
"Then tell me what you need. The school is at your disposal," the headmistress said.
"We have a partial list, but only Hermione can verify the object. It seems like she even startled Abraham with her ability," Harry said.
"Then I shall leave you both to the task. If there's anything you need from me, please ask," she replied before leaving her office.
Annie woke to the sound of her mother's voice; she recognized the tone, but not the words. She lay on the bed, keeping her eyes shut, feigning sleep, until she could understand what was happening. She gently tried to move her arm under the sheet, but it was restrained.
"Once she wakes, we should be able to get to the bottom of these events; this third documented incident shows a pattern," an unknown voice said.
"I would rather deal with this with my daughter alone," Hermione said. Annie could feel someone sitting on the edge of her bed.
"That is not wise; these occurrences are becoming more frequent, since her birthday."
"She's never shown any prior symptoms. Nothing in the past would indicate…" Hermione started.
"Ahh, but you're wrong. I have seen her exhibit unusual stomach cramps and nausea when she believed she was alone for as long as she's been here," a distant voice interrupted her mother.
"Albus? When did you notice anything wrong?" Hermione asked.
"Nearly the moment she set foot in the castle, Phineas has allowed me to use his portrait from time to time to keep an eye on your little girl. She has had constant tummy problems. At first, I attributed it to her being unaccustomed to the food here, but then I remembered that Dobby has been with you for nearly thirty years," that same voice replied.
"Yes, she's had minor tummy aches whenever there was a task to complete. I had assumed she used that to escape what ever chore she…"
"Healer Potter, she's awake," another voice said, interrupting Hermione.
"Annie, are you feeling better?" Hermione asked as stroked her daughter's hair.
"Mum, why am I tied down?" she asked.
"You started thrashing about and threw a glass across the room at Madam Pomfrey. You scared us all," another voice on the other side of the bed replied.
"Daddy?" she asked, startled to see him there.
"You were in the library, in a bad state. Arty found you when you failed to show for dinner, and I brought you directly here," he replied, all the time starting to untie her bonds.
"We've both been concerned. Headmistress McGonagall has excused Arty from classes at your father's request," Hermione said as she untied the other bonds on Annie's arm.
Annie looked at her father. "What happened? And I heard a strange voice a moment ago," she asked him.
"An old friend has been watching to keep you safe: Albus Dumbledore," Hermione said.
"But, isn't he dead?" Annie asked.
"I can assure you that I may not be part of this world, but I'll always be around to watch over my favorite two protégés," a voice from the wall said.
Annie turned to the portrait and saw a kindly old man with a snow-white beard and hair that disappeared to the bottom of the picture. He adjusted his half-moon spectacles on his crooked nose and smiled at her. "Yes, my dear. I've been watching not only over you, but your brother as well. Professor McGonagall also has inquired to your safety from time to time. And like the others, I misread your nausea as something other then what it may be."
She sat up in the bed and turned to face him. "A centaur told me you have been my protector. Is this what he meant?"
"Firenze is an old and trusted friend. As for protection, I have no idea to his comments. The memories and thoughts of my physical self were added to this portrait several months before you were born. I was not able to discuss the current issues my physical self had become concerned with at the time of his death," the portrait replied.
"Annie, your father and I may need to spend some time on a special mission. We may be gone for a while, so we asked Ron and Luna to watch over you and your brother when the term ends in two weeks. We planned to let you know the other day, but this latest episode is far more important. I won't leave until I know these seizures have stopped," Hermione said.
"What about Ben's arm, Mum? What's happened with that?" she asked.
"This is part of what we need to discover. We think these are connected. Your stomach problems and bloody vomit, Ben's arm and the attack, and what we learned from Frienze points to a conclusion I would rather avoid," Harry added.
"One critical bit of information may rest with Draco. He's our first objective. And since he may be involved, your Aunt Ginny and Arty will be staying with you and your brother at the Burrow. It's one of the safest locations we know," Hermione said.
"Aunt Ginny and Arty? Because of what I…" Annie started.
"No, because they are family, and they are as important to your mother and me as anyone else in our extended family. You should realize that," Harry said cutting Annie off.
"We've arranged with Professor McGonagall and your professors to allow you a lighter exam schedule," Hermione said.
"Mum, I'm fine. I can deal with my own classes," Annie protested.
Hermione shook her head. "No, as long as these incidents continue, you will be allowed a lighter schedule. You'll still have to take each and every exam, but they will be over a longer period, no more then two per day. That should help reduce the stress," Hermione stated as she stood.
"Annie, remember we both love you dearly, and we will ensure nothing else happens to you or your brother. Now as I understand it, Arty's been waiting to see you. She's gathered your things from the library. Keep a watchful eye open; we should be back in a fortnight at worst," Harry said.
"Mum, Dad, I do love you both. Please come back safe," she pleaded, sitting up in her hospital bed.
Harry smiled and nodded as he took his wife's hand and the couple left. Annie noted his rucksack seemed fuller then usual.
The next weeks passed with out event, Annie was allowed back to her room for her personal things. She was instructed to pack with the expectation of being sent home early. The exams for most of the students were administered normally; except for one student that remained isolated. She received her exams privately. Annie grumbled at being restrained from the others, but was relieved to have a lighter overall schedule.
The end of June witnessed the departure of the students from the school, each relieved and each saddened to leave another year behind. Annie rejoined the student population on the train, the coach she was assigned also held the familiar faces of her closest companions. Her friendship with Arty remained tentative, neither dared discuss that day. Annie sat next to Jerry the entire trip home.
"Professor McGonagall informed me that we're all staying at my home for a few days until your dad and mum return," Jerry said, trying to break the ice.
"I hope there's room enough for privacy," Arty snipped. "I really wouldn't want to get in anyone's way."
"There's plenty of room," Jerry replied. "I expect Ben will share my room and you two will be together, so you'd both best find a way to resolve your differences."
Annie shook her head and tried to pull away. Jerry's arm had a tight hold of her. Arty simply stared out the window; no one said another word for the next several hours.
The scenery turned from countryside to the outskirts of the city, and a familiar building came into view. The Kings Cross station was minutes away, prompting the passengers to gather their personal effects. Annie never moved; her slowed breathing as she rested quietly against Jerry was proof of her physical and emotional exhaustion. Neither had the chance to change from their school robes before the train came to a stop.
"You should change out of your robes. You know the rules," Ben said to his sister and Jerry.
Jerry quickly pulled off his robe and tucked it into his bag. Annie ignored the warning and climbed out of the carriage, leaving her belongings behind. She exited the train before anyone was able to stop her, as if she were locked in a trance.
"Annie! Wait," Jerry called. But he was caught in the crowd as they exited the train.
"Yes, Tom, you're right. They don't understand," she mumbled to herself. She drew her wand from her cloak and left platform 9 ¾ for the Muggle portion of the station.
She walked aimlessly through the crowd of Muggles who stared at the girl in a black flowing robe. Her surreal appearance startled all that watched her cross the platform to the stairs that led to the walkway crossing the tracks.
"They are frightened," she whispered.
"There up ahead, the fat one, kill him."
"Kill?" she asked.
"There standing like a worthless buffoon. Kill him."
"Tom, I can't," she whispered back.
"Then I shall, but first a little sport. Crucio," her hoarse voice uttered as she raised her wand. The large man screamed once and fell to the ground. His body quivered as every muscle vibrated under his skin.
"Stop, I beg you," Annie heard from a young boy, who ran to his father's side. The boy's appearance broke her concentration, and she lowered her wand.
"Fool," she said and raised her wand pointing it at the fallen man; a deadly grin grew on her face, "Avada Ked…"