"We really need to go to the party. There's a surprise waiting for you," Jerry whispered.
Annie refused to let him go, afraid this was a dream. "Jerry, I've wanted to kiss you for years."
"I know. I wanted to wait until your fifteenth birthday for a proper kiss. Now, unless you want to hide out here for the rest of the term, we do need to return. Arty has arranged for a surprise."
"Can we stay just a few more minutes?" she asked as she gently pulled his face to meet hers and again deeply kissed him. He eagerly responded, as one hand slipped from her shoulder to her waist. She shifted her weight just enough to let him gain a better position for his hands to wander.
He pulled back. "Annie, are you sure?"
"Um-hum, please don't stop," she whispered as she kissed him again and pulled his hand back to her waist.
"Annie, I know you better then anyone else, except Arty, and I think you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," he whispered in her ear between nibbles.
"Jerry," she moaned as he kissed the curves of her neck, his hand slipping under her jumper to her smooth skin.
"Annie, I've been…"
"Annie? Jerry?" a strong voice boomed from behind them. She pushed Jerry's hands aside and tried to regain some composure.
"D-Daddy? Why are you here?" she asked.
Harry stood just behind the bench, taking his time to walk around to face them. A light, almost hidden chuckle escaped his lips as he watched his own daughter try to straighten her jumper. Jerry's cloak was still draped around her shoulders, but the sudden interruption revealed a little more than any of the three were completely comfortable with.
"Your best friend had arranged for us to be here for your birthday party. After Jerry came looking for you, your mother was about to go fetch you, and it's a good thing I came along. I don't believe your mother would find any humor in this."
"Sir," Jerry started hoping to avoid any more embarrassment, "she was chilled, and I offered to warm her a bit before we returned."
"Ahh, so you were only finding a way to keep warm? I see," he replied in his stern voice of authority. "I think we should return."
"Daddy, nothing happened. Jerry was, we were, I needed," she sat speechless and mortified. 'Anyone else but daddy,' she thought.
"Annie, I think we can discuss this later, after your party," Harry said, his tone still flat and unreadable.
"No, I can't," she screamed and pushed Jerry away, bolting toward the rim of trees. The Forbidden Forest was still forbidden and still home to dark creatures that would do harm if the opportunity arose. And this was a rising opportunity.
"No, Annie, wait!" Harry yelled as he began to run after her. The boy she had pushed aside sprinted behind her father into the dark wood.
"Annie, stop!" Jerry called out to no avail.
She ran. Her birthday had begun on a mysterious note, and now it had taken a turn she never would have anticipated. The trees blurred past as her eyes began to tear. Her silent sobs of the afternoon welled up and controlled her emotions as all sense of what normal and real was melted away.
"Annie!" her father called. His voice grew distant.
"Annie, come back!" a concerned voice called, but it was lost as she ran.
She quickly lost her way and tripped on a knotted root that rose from the ground. She felt a quick twinge of pain in her knee and her hand as she skidded on the dirt.
Her eyes still blurred with tears, she tried to brush the dirt away and felt the warm ooze of blood from her knee. She ignored the pain and tried to stand. But her leg couldn't support her weight, and she fell back to her good knee.
"No, it's not fair," she screamed as she pounded the dirt.
"Annie!" her father called again, still distant but drawing closer.
"Here, she's here," a strange voice called out. "No, she's away, in the tree," the same voice called out in a chuckle.
"Stuff it, you've gone blind," he called again.
Annie wiped her eyes and saw a kindly face leaning from a horse. When he lowered a hand to help her stand, she realized he was not sitting on a horse at all: He was the horse.
"Can you stand?" he asked.
Annie shook her head; the thump of her knee was beginning to ring through her head.
"Then climb on my back, and I'll find us a save haven," he said.
She noticed his head shook as if struggling; his hands were rough and strong, but kind and friendly. In a single lift, she found herself on the Centaur's back.
"Who are you?" Annie finally managed to ask as he began to gallop further from the calling voices.
"Hold, Firenze ," a new voice called from the path they followed. "You cannot be allowed to wander about alone."
"Nay, I have business, Bane. Leave me to it," he called back as he ran headlong into the brush. The calling voices of her father and Jerry all but vanished. He crouched behind clump of shrubs and held a finger to his lips, instructing Annie to be silent. Soon, the sound of hooves at a full gallop passed by their hiding spot as they waited.
"Now, young witch, how do you come to be so far into these woods without an escort?"
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"You should not be concerned with such details. Simply be thankful my brother Centaur, Bane, did not find you. He is not as forgiving as I. Now hold fast, and I will return you safely to your school. There are creatures here that might prove dangerous to a young girl."
"No, I can't go back. I'd rather die," she commanded.
"And a forceful young witch at that. May I know your name?"
"Annie."
"Well, young Annie, my name is Firenze ," he replied politely.
"Forget the wench; she's of no use," he suddenly snapped. An arm reached for her and pushed her from his back.
"Oww," she cried as her injured leg received another jolt.
"I-I can't… leave…" he stammered as he collapsed to his front legs.
Annie sat on the ground, bewildered at his sudden change. She pulled herself to stand on her good leg and limped to him. "We both are lost and alone, aren't we?" she said as she put a hand to his shoulder.
"I-I-I have…" he grabbed his face in his hands and screamed.
His scream sent a chill through her. His obvious torment was worse then her problems. She stood, leaning against him and wished she could help.
"Annie," a voice called from beyond a thicket of trees and brush.
"Daddy?" she called back. "I'm here."
"Stay where you are. We'll be there in a moment." Sounds of branches snapping and the glow of a light broke through the dense growth.
"My dad can help you. He's a powerful man," she said, consoling the tormented Centaur.
"No. I cannot let anyone see my trouble. You will be safe. I must leave you now. Goodbye, young Annie," he said as he stood to leave.
"Please, stay, I know he can help."
"Annie… Are you ok?" Harry called out. He and Jerry were within sight, and they broke into a sprint.
Firenze turned to leave, but Annie still held his mane. Harry and Jerry were close enough to see her wound, but they were too far to prevent this new turn in her birthday. A ray of light sliced through the trees, a lunar reflection from the moonless sky that sent a surge through Annie. Her hands began to glow blue, and her eyes locked into a deep trance. The radiating aura from her hands engulfed the Centaur's head and upper body.
"Annie!" Harry yelled as he ran to his daughter.
The girl and Centaur were locked in a spell. Harry was afraid to try any spells of his own for risk of hurting her. All he could do was watch. Jerry pulled his wand from his pocket and pointed it at the couple, but Harry blocked him before he could utter the incantation.
"Leave them, or you could hurt Annie," he ordered.
An ancient wave of magic had engulfed them; the transformation that they watched was unknown to even Harry Potter.
Moments had passed, and Annie remained locked in her trance. Firenze gasped for air and finally fell to his side, breaking the connection. Annie fell as limp as a rag doll next to the Centaur.
Harry bolted the few remaining yards to her and carefully held his daughter, noting her wound.
"Jerry, run back and fetch her mother, and hurry!" Harry commanded, sending the boy back the way they came.
"Annie, you'll be fine," he cooed softly in her ear. "I'm sorry I made you think I was angry."
"Harry? Harry Potter?" a voice asked.
With a rustle, the Centaur stood to his full height., Firenze gazed clear-eyed at the people huddled on the forest floor, his actions no longer those of a creature whose mind was locked in torment.
" Firenze , what happened to my daughter?" Harry asked.
"Daughter? You have no daughter that I remember. I just met with Minister hours ago. He did say your wife was expecting in a month's time," he said bewildered.
"Minister Scrimgeour has not been here in some time, and Hermione and I decided two children were enough for us."
"No, Minister Dumbledore. I left him only moments ago after learning of your return," Firenze replied.
" Firenze , Albus Dumbledore was murdered fifteen years ago," Harry replied. Annie began to stir as she listened to the discussion.
"Then I must speak to you and your wife. If that is true, then there may be little time left," the Centaur said. "We must leave now."
"No, I sent for Hermione, and Annie can't be moved."
Firenze stepped back to give them some room.
"Dad? Albus Dumbledore? I've heard you and Mum talk about him, and I have a letter he wrote me." She pulled the crumpled letter from her pocket, and the other writings unexpectedly also fell from her pocket.
"He was a great man - someone I looked to for advice almost all my life," Harry said looking at the sheets. He smiled when he saw that the first held a message from Dumbledore. The other sheets caused him more concern, especially when he realized that she's never intended to reveal the two messages, only the letter.
"Annie, I want to discuss this message later," Harry said sternly, holding one of the notes. "And as for this letter, how did you find it?"
"It… was in a spare trunk I used last year, and I nearly forgot about it until this morning."
"I see. Then you've read it?"
"Yes, sir. Daddy, my leg really hurts. Can we do this later?"
"Absolutely not, young lady," another voice rang out from the brush. "First let me look at that knee, and then we'll discuss the evening's activities," Hermione said sternly as she approached with Jerry close behind.
As she had many times in the past, Hermione held her child's injured limb and began the process of repairing the wound. "It's broken, but it should be better in a moment."
"Ow, Mum, that really stings!" Annie pleaded.
"Good, maybe next time you won't foolishly run off into the Forbidden Forest alone and at night. Or haven't you paid attention to the Headmistress's warnings?" she scolded. Hermione's touch was a bit less gentle then Annie expected.
"It was my doing. I guess she never expected to see me. She's apparently got a few issues on her mind," Harry said as he handed the letter to Hermione.
"We'll discuss this later, young lady, and especially where you found that letter," she said, immediately recognizing the envelope. She read the message from their old friend and handed it to Harry, who read it outloud to the group.
The following moments passed in silence; the message made it clear that there was far more at work then a young girl's misadventure.
That silence was broken when the Centaur addressed the family. "Harry Potter, I have known you man and boy, and I watched as you defeated the evil of your era. I cried at your shared loss and rejoiced at your wedding. I cried in later years when you again had a shared loss and mourned when word came that you had vanished from our world. Hermione Potter, there have been times of doubt in your mind, times you have questioned not only your judgment but your very purpose. Your daughter shares this doubt and shares your need for fulfillment."
"Mum? What does he mean?"
"Please let me continue. That letter was written by Albus Dumbledore before he came to see me, before he knew certain details foreseen in the stars. He left clues for the three of you with the hopes that his fears might not come to pass and could pass without event. He was unable to relate every detail to me, as I was unable to relate my interpretations. He had promised to me that when and if he returned, all would be clear. To my mind, today is the tenth of April 2008 . But seeing the three of you, I know this is not true.
"He left a charm in my mind only he could remove, to safeguard these clues. And since that charm has lifted, it is safe to assume he has removed it."
"No, it was Annie. Something affected her, and the two of you glowed," Jerry said, interrupting the Centaur.
"The clue to that mystery is in the note, young wizard. He is her protector, preventing her from harm. Have you not felt strange at times of stress? Have you not questioned your own actions?"
"Well, I have had stomach cramps just before I find myself in trouble."
"He has remained within you. His very soul watches over you as your protector, but I sense more," Firenze replied.
"How can he protect me? I never knew him."
"His letter said that he would die when you were born. Was it a difficult birth?"
"Yes, she nearly died that day. If I hadn't had the foresight to have Muggle physicians on retainer, she would have died," Hermione added.
"That could only mean that she was endangered from birth, and had Albus Dumbledore not been there, she may have died that day," Firenze said. "When his body died that day, his soul could have been lost if he remained on this plain, unless he found a vessel to hold his soul."
Hermione glanced at Harry, hoping their daughter didn't notice. They had never talked of the specific events in the past - even to Ron.
"There are two ways, and both are devastating to humans. One method is employed by the Dementors where the soul is forcibly removed and is lost forever. Another requires a death and some object to contain that soul. Both are the darkest of magic. The actual processes are believed to have been lost to the ages. Before he left on his quest, Albus Dumbledore told me that he'd found out that these processes might have been rediscovered, if not practiced."
"What is the sense? The soul cannot be restored, can it?" Annie asked as she sat holding her knee.
"That I do not know. For a wizard to attempt to remove his soul, that task would require him to surrender his life," Firenze added.
"Then a normal, sane human would not consider such a process," Harry stated.
"Harry, remember what Riddle and Malfoy did? That wasn't the sign of a 'normal' or 'sane' person."
"Malfoy?" Annie asked under her breath. "Dad, what does Arty's father have to do with this?"
"Not Draco, but his father, Lucius Malfoy. Long before you were born, when we were still in school, before we were married, Draco's father was in league with one of the most evil men that lived. He hurt us both," Hermione added.
"When was this? Was it the Wizarding Civil War of the nineties? You never mentioned being involved."
"Young Potter, your parents were in the very center of that war. Your father was the only wizard to face Lord Voldemort and live. It was his doing that ended the rein of terror that October night that also left him an orphan. It was he who fought to end it when that evil returned in the graveyard twenty-seven of your years ago. And if your mother had not joined his cause and combined their talents, the end would have not have been favorable."
Annie looked at her father. "Why have you never mentioned any of this? And why isn't any of this in my history books?"
"Annie, we tried to shield you and your brother from this. Things happened in those days that were quite unpleasant for us all. I had to do things I am not proud of," Harry said.
"We were going to tell you, one day, if it was necessary," Hermione added.
"So now there's a need?" Annie asked with a tone of contempt.
"As long as there is evil, there will be a need. She should have been aware of her destiny," Firenze said. He turned to the girl's parents, "Please leave us. I must speak to the child in private."
"Hermione, Jerry, let Firenze have some privacy; I think this may be part of Albus' plan," Harry said as he took his wife's hand.
"Can you walk?" Firenze asked. Annie nodded as she stood. She tentatively put her weight on her sore leg, pleased that it was healed. They walked to the far side of the clearing, only yards from the lake. The Castle could be seen in the distance on the far bank.
"What is it?" she asked.
"There are things you must know; things that are known by others. First, you have questions that you believe no one can resolve; questions of a confidential nature. You have been approached for help by someone you believe to be distant and cold to you, and you have no idea how to solve that problem. The solution can be found only by revealing all to one you trust beyond any other."
"What do you know of it?" she asked.
"I know what the stars revealed to me about you and your coming birth," Firenze replied. "I, above all others, held the confidence of Albus Dumbledore and he confirmed the details as he was also told. He was your father's mentor, and now he's your protector. You must trust listen to his voice, he can help."
"But, the bloody man's been dead since I was born. How…" she began before he stopped her thought.
"Yes, his body has died, but he is still here. His very soul sought a new vessel, and that vessel was you. A fresh wound was needed for his spirit to enter your body; the moment you were cut, his soul gained refuge, and it remains within you."
"Impossible, I have no scars," she said disbelieving him.
"Have you not a scar of birth?" he replied.
"I have… a belly button? But everyone has one."
"True, every human child is born of a mother is joined at birth until that connection is severed. He is as much a part of you as the blood in your veins and he will help you in your time of great need. Use that help when desperation comes and all seems lost. He alone will guide you to your destiny."
She let this settle; it was a lot for her to comprehend at one time.
" Firenze , his letter to me was written before I was born. Does that mean he knew he would die to save me?"
"Yes. He knew only because I had told him of the possibility of these events. He came to me and left detailed instructions with me to help you help all. Take heed of his warning."
"What warning - that 'Warning of Power'?"
"Yes, but before you learn more, your parents also must be aware of this. Come, let us rejoin them." The Centaur took the young girl by the hand and traced their steps back to the clearing where the others waited.
"Now, Harry Potter, your heir must be told about the Warning of Power," Firenze began once they rejoined the others.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"The Warning of Power simply states that there is no good or evil; there is only power. It's the way that power is used that defines it as evil. I remember reading it in an old manuscript," Hermione stated. "But the page was incomplete; it seemed as if there was more."
Annie's face blanked with sudden recognition, a minor detail missed by her parents, but noticed by the Centaur.
"You are correct. The most important portion from that warning," Firenze added, "is if power is unleashed for evil, only the purest can defeat that evil. Albus Dumbledore knew of this warning, and he tried to prevent those from accessing power for evil."
"Professor Dumbledore tried to have us stop Riddle from gaining that power," Harry said.
"Yes, he did try to stop that servant from releasing that power, but the master remained hidden then, and he remains hidden to this day. He is the one you must be wary of. You must also be warned that if the servant's servants gain knowledge of this power, they may become the means of destruction."
"'Servant's servant'? I don't understand," Annie asked.
"I would assume someone intends to bring Tom Riddle back, like Pettigrew did back in our fourth year," Hermione responded to Annie's question.
"That's impossible. He's been totally destroyed. I had him trapped," Harry added.
"One cannot completely destroy evil without also completely destroying good; the balance of good and evil must forever remain intact. I have given you what help I can. Seek out the artifacts and there you will find answers. Goodbye my friends," Firenze said as he bowed his head and turned to return to his kind.
Jerry had remained in the shadow of the conversation. Grasping the moment, he approached the girl he had held lovingly in his arms in the past hour. "Annie, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Annie started to smile for the first time since she ran off into the forest and glanced to her father. A single nod sent the two off for a few moments alone.
"Annie," Jerry lifted her chin so he could look in her light brown eyes, "I know this is a huge burden on you. Remember, I will always be there for you. You never have to ask for my help, ok?"
Her smile warmed her face as she nodded.
"You're a special person, and I really do care for you. Even if our families weren't close, I know in my heart that I would have found you."
She laced an arm around his waist. "I'm glad you did find me, you do make me feel tingly inside," she whispered back and left a gentle kiss on his cheek. She laced her fingers through his and together they returned to the clearing where her parents waited.
The four left the tranquility of the Forbidden Forest and advanced toward an uncertain future, together.
The surprise party had proceeded once the group arrived in the Transfiguration classroom, a location offered by the Headmistress. Although Annie Potter was, at that moment, the only Slytherin to be allowed in the Gryffindor tower, all concerned felt a neutral location would be best. Arty's concern for his?? friend was relieved at her appearance - an appearance that had been slightly delayed so the girl of honor could change out of her ripped clothes.
After allowing the cordial greetings and well wishes from those strongly advised to attend, the attendees began to dwindle to family and friends. Aside from favored professors spending time reminiscing with her parents in the far corner, only Ben, Jerry, Arty, and Annie remained.
Jerry took Annie aside and said, "Annie, I hope you don't think I was being too forward, earlier. I meant what I said, and I have no regrets."
"I have to admit that was the first time this year I've felt special," she said with a light smile.
"You are very special. I really want you to be happy, and you're so much prettier when you smile."
"I'm not, please don't play with me," Annie said in a low tone. She felt vulnerable and helpless when he looked in her eyes.
"I'm not. I want you to believe that. You can trust me," he said as he kissed her as gently as he had earlier. She wanted to stay like that all night, in his arms and protected.
"Jerry, I have a problem. And I have to tell someone."
"You can trust me - you know that."
"Yes, I know. You are one of the only people I do trust. But I can't tell you because I care for you too much. I hope you can understand."
"I know you'll tell me when you feel the time is right. But for now, I want us to be more then friends, and I don't care if others say you're in the wrong house. I don't care, and it's never mattered to me."
"Thanks, it means a lot to me. I really do like you, and as more then a friend. You've given me the best present I could have wished for," she finished with a kiss.
"Annie, if this keeps up, you may never be able to get rid of me," Jerry teased.
"I hope not. But, I hope you'll forgive me, I have something I have to do," she kissed his cheek and stood. She sighed heavily and turned to the group of adults in the far corner who were obviously trying to give the birthday girl a little time alone with her friends.
She summoned the Gryffindor courage of her parents and marched across the room.