Lillian 'Anna' Potter || Goblet of Fire

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Dead Don't Want

“The Yule Ball?” Anna questioned Ginny’s subject change as she nodded. “I think I heard Cedric mention it once - even though I’m pretty sure the gown your mother got me over the summer is still stuffed in a ball at the back of my trunk.”

“You aren’t even a little excited?” Ginny deadpanned. “We’re probably some of the few third years going! We get to dress up, and there’s going to be food - there’s dancing.”

“The dancing sounds fun,” Anna admitted - and as much of a girly thing it was, there was something calming about moving your limbs in sync to music. “But I don’t think Cedric and I will be doing much of it except for the beginning dance - he’s not much of a dancer, that’s for sure.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Well, at least you don’t have to go with Neville. Like seriously - he’s like a brother to me.”

Anna laughed at her expense, beginning to clean up their potions area - pieces of roots and several emptied glass bottles littered over their shared desk when she looked over at the clock and realized how late it was getting. “Merlin - we’re going to miss our next period. McGonagall will have our heads if we’re late again. You go on without me while I clean this mess.”

Ginny raised an eyebrow. “You sure? I mean, you’ve already been tardy 3 classes this week.”

“I know. But this desk isn’t going to clean itself. And besides, I don’t trust Snape alone with you.”

It had been months since they’ve spoken - aside from the occasional question in class and when he asked her to pass papers. Other than that, their relationship was nonexistent. It was oddly ironic - having Snape gone from a father figure to a nobody in less than a year. She had been the only one to defend him when her peers spoke bad of him. Now she despised him more than all of them.

Ginny only nodded - knowing this was a subject better left untouched for the moment. “I’ll tell her you’re only running a bit behind.” She offered, and then she was gone.

And with that, Anna carefully swiped each of the empty bottles into the bin - wiping her table clear of debris until she was satisfied. But when she hoisted her leather bag over her shoulder - prepared to leave - a voice stopped her.

“Anna.” Snape.

She clenched her teeth and turned to face him - eyes glittering with underlying rage and fury. “Yes, Professor?” Anna gritted out.

Snape hesitated, but firmly kept his hands by his sides. When she was 11, it had always been her to rush to embrace him after class to tell him about all of her grades. It disgusted her now, how she was so attached to such a despicable man.

“You know, your mother wouldn’t have wanted this.” he said tersely.

“The dead don’t want.” Anna responded evenly. “And despite what you may think, I’m not just my mother’s daughter. She may have been your friend once. It does not mean I have to be too.”

Snape clenched his fists. “Black - I don’t know what he said to you, but he is not the man you think he is.”

“He’s my godfather!”

“I’m your godfather!”

She was momentarily stunned. Her feet stumbled backwards, and she studied his face carefully, but found no trace of a lie.

He narrowed his eyes. “Your mother - before she died, she made me your godfather. Black was your father’s friend, and I was hers - despite what that over-arrogant fool assumed.” Anna remained silent as he continued. “It was I who granted you permission to Hogsmeade. Not him. So don’t think that you can have nothing to do with me when my name is legally binded to yours.”

“You’re bluffing.” She finally said, glaring up at him. “Whatever sick joke this is, I’ll have no part of it.”

“It’s no tale. I’m the one who controls your legal decisions. Truth be told, I shouldn’t have allowed those moronic Weasley’s temporary guardianship of you over the summer. They’ve twisted your mind.”

“Don’t call them that!” Anna snapped. “That’s my family.”

“I’m your family.”

“Don’t you get it? Family isn’t just legal documents - DNA. Family are the people whom you hold dearest to your heart - people who love and care for one another unconditionally.” She eyed him. “You, Severus Snape, are a fool. It doesn’t matter if you are my godfather, or if Sirus isn’t. He’s my family. And more of a man than you’ll ever be.”

She turned on her heel to walk away when his voice stopped her. “Once you leave this room, there’s no going back!” He warned. “Are you willing to destroy a relationship over your short temper?”

Anna didn’t dare look back. “Until you realize what kind of person you are - what a selfish, arrogant, prick you are, I want nothing to do with you.”

And despite the anger in her words, tears of sadness fell from her eyes. Because even though the man behind her was still alive and breathing, he was as dead to her as her parents.