VILLAGE SQUARE - NIGHT
[Anna re-emerges into the world, reeling, eyes stinging with tears. Slowly, her planet stops spinning.]
Anna: I just Apparated, didn’t I?
Dumbledore: Indeed. And quite successfully I might add. Most people vomit their first time.
"I hate apparation." Said Lily.
Anna: Can’t imagine why...
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
[Dumbledore leads Anna up a steep narrow street lined with darkened houses.]
"Why are they there?" Asked James.
Dumbledore: Welcome to the charming village of Budleigh Babberton, Anna. I assume right about now you’re wondering why I’ve brought you here, am I right?
Anna: (glancing about) After all these years, I just sort of roll with it.
[Dumbledore smiles mildly, then pauses, his face darkening. Before them stands a small stone house. But somethig is wrong about the place.]
Dumbledore: Wand out, Anna.
SLUGHORN’S HOUSE - SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
[Utter devastation. A grandfather clock lays upon the floor, its face cracked. A piano sags in the corner, keys strewn like teeth upon the rug. A copy of the Daily Prophet trembles in the breeze from a half-open window. As Anna looks, a drop of something wet strikes the word “CHOSEN.” Her gaze rises. She gasps. A substance dark and clutionus is spattered upon the ceiling.]
"Where are they and why is my daughter there?!" Asked worried Lily.
[Dumbledore raises his wand. The ceiling screams red. Another drop falls and this one strikes Anna’s scar. As Anna moves to wipe it away, Dumbledore grabs her hand. Training his light on Anna’s forehead, Dumbledore flicks a blackened finger over the scar. Brings it to his tongue. Reacts.]
"What the fuck?" Said Barty.
[Turning, his eyes narrow on an overstuffed armchair. Moving to it, he jabs his wand into the plump seat cushion.]
Armchair: Merlin’s Beard! [Instantly, the Armchair mutates into human form, though briefly gets caught inbetween. After a bit of grumbling, Sean-splitting and the popping of a cushion button or two, a fat old man (Horace Slughorn) in a pair of wellworn lilac pajamas appears.]
"Professor?" Asked confused Lily.
Slughorn: (rubbing his rump)There’s no need to disfigure me, Albus!
Dumbledore: I must say, you make a very convincing armchair, Horace.
Slughorn: It’s all in the upholstery. (patting his stomach) I come by the stuffing naturally. What gave me away?
Dumbledore: (nodding to the ceiling) Dragon’s blood.
Slughorn: Yes, well, I couldn’t very well
use wizard’s blood, could I? Oho!
[Slughorn takes a step back, having spotted Anna. The blood on Anna’s forehead only serves to highlight her scar.]
Dumbledore: Ah yes. Introductions. Anna, this is an old friend and colleague of mine, Horace Slughorn. Horace, this is, well, you know who this is. (a droll whisper) Apparently there’s some thought she may be the Chosen One. [Slughorn stares at Anna as if hypnotized.]
"Why is he trying to bring Slughorn back?" Asked Sirius.
"You think he fired Snivellus?" Asked James excited. Lily sent a glare at him.
Dumbledore: So why all the theatrics, Horace? You weren’t perhaps expecting
someone else, were you?
Slughorn: (blinking) S-someone else? I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.
[Dumbledore raises an eyebrow. Slughorn caves.]
Slughorn: Oh all right! The Death Eaters have been trying to recruit me for over a year. Do you know what that’s like? One can only say no to these people so many times before they...
Dumbledore: Take matters into their own hands? [Slughorn eyes Dumbledore miserably, gestures.]
Slughorn: I never stay anywhere more than a week. The Muggles who own this
place are in the Canary Islands.
Dumbledore: Well, I think it should be put back in order for them, don’t you mind? [Dumbledore raises his wand. Instantly, the grandfather clock resumes its rightful place, shattered lanterns reignite and the blood on the ceiling evaporates -- just as the piano keys tumble back into place with a pleasant musical run.]
"Dramatic." Said Sirius. Everyone gave him look that said 'you-are-the-one-saying?'.
Dumbledore: That was fun. May I use the loo? [As Dumbledore heads down the hall, Slughorn calls after.]
Slughorn: Don’t think I don’t know why you’re here, Albus! The answer is still no! Absolutely, unequivocally no!
[Dumbledore doesn’t respond. Slughorn glances at Anna. The silence is palpable. Awkward. A beat. Then:]
Slughorn: You look very like your father. Except for your eyes. You’ve got --
Anna: My mother’s hair and eyes, yeah.
Slughorn: (smiling softly) Lily. Lovely Lily. She was exceedingly bright -- your mother.
Lily smiles.
Slughorn: Even more impressive when one considers she was Muggle-born. [Anna raised her eyebrow.]
Slughorn: Oh, but you mustn’t think I’m prejudiced! No, no, no! Your mother was one of my absolute favorites! Look, there she is. Right up front. [Slughorn waves to a dresser crowded with photographs.]
Slughorn: All mine, each and every one. Exstudents, I mean. You recognize Barnubas Cuffe, of course, editor of the Daily Prophet. Always takes my owl should I want to register my opinion on the news of the day. And there’s Ambrosius Flume of Honeydukes. Sends a hamper of chocolate to the house each birthday. That is, when I had a house. And Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies -- free tickets whenever I want them. Of course, I haven’t been to a match in some time...
Slytherins give head of their house fond looks.
[Anna steps forward, takes a picture of one particular boy, a boy who resembles... Sirius. Seeing Anna this distracted, she studies him intently, like a rare object.]
Slughorn: Ah yes. Regulus Black. You no doubt know of his older brother Sirius.
Anna: He was my godfather. But you probably read about it in News. In the interview i gave Skeeter.
"What interview?" Asked Sirius.
Slughorn: Oh, yes. Tragic life he had. Being in Azkaban for what you haven't done...
Everyone look surprised.
"She cleared my name?" Asked Sirius.
Anna: Yeah. [Anna places photo back.]
Slughorn: How did you mange to clean his name if you don't mind me asking.
Anna: They didn't have evidence excpet muggle witnesess. I gave my testimony against them under Vertiserum. Normally, it wouldn't be enough, but Ministry wanted to be in my good grace and why not take what's given to you? [Slughorn smiled at her fondly.]
"My little snake." Said Barty fondly.
"Pup." Teared up Sirius. James and Lily looked at their daughter proudly.
Slughorn: You would do good in my house.
Anna: Thank you. [Slughorn looked at her surprised.]
"Why is he so surprised?" Asked Lily.
"Normally, people excpecially Gryffindors take it as insult." Answered Narcissa.
[Than they looked back at photo.]
Slughorn: I taught the whole Black family except Sirius. Shame. Talented boy. I got Regulus when he came along, of course, but I’d have liked the set.
Dumbledore: Mind if I take this? I do love knitting patterns. [Slughorn blinks, looks away from Anna and finds Dumbledore standing there, clutching a muggle magazine.]
Slughorn: Of course. But you’re not leaving?
Dumbledore: I think I know a lost cause when I see one. Regrettable. I would have considered it a personal triumph had you consented to return to Hogwarts, Horace. You are, like my friend Ms. Potter -- one of a kind.
"Dumbledore is more cunning, than most of the Slytherin house." Said Regulus.
[Dumbledore hums placidly as he and Anna make their way down the walk. Seconds later, the front door swings
open.]
Slughorn: All right! I’ll do it. But I’ll be wanting Professor Merrythought’s old office, not that water closet I had formerly. And I expect a raise! These are mad times we live in! Mad!
Dumbledore: Indeed they are.
STREET (BUDLEIGH BABBERTON) - NIGHT
[Dumbledore leads Anna back toward the Village Square.]
Anna: Sir, exactly why --
Dumbledore: You are talented, famous and powerful -- everything Horace values. Professor Slughorn is going to try to collect you, Anna. You would be his crowning jewel. That is why he is returning to Hogwarts. And it is crucial he return...
"Why?" Asked Barty.
Anna: I gueesed that much , but why do you need h- [Dumbledore interrupts.]
Dumbledore: I fear I may have stolen a wondrous night from you, Anna. She was, truthfully, very pretty. The girl.
Anna: It's alright, Sir. She wasn't my type.
"Ysah, her type is blondes." Said amused Lily.
Anna: I don't know this place. Could you take me back?
Dumbledore: You’ll not be going back to Little Whinging tonight, Anna.
"Why not?" Asked Remus.
Anna: But, sir. What about Hedgwig? And there’s my trunk --
Dumbledore: They are waiting for you.
[Dumbledore extends his arm. Mystified, Anna reaches out.]
THE BURROW - NIGHT
[Anna apparates into view, stumbling to one knee and wincing.]
Anna: Sir? [Dumbledore is gone. Anna rises, glances about. In the distance a crooked house shimmers. A pretty girl with red hair flits briefly past an upstairs window. Rose Weasley.]
"Good. She is with Weasleys." Said Lily.
WEASLEY HOUSE - STAIRCASE/KITCHEN - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[Rose dashes down a vertiginous staircase, flies into the kitchen and a large trunk and an owl cage. Curious, she cocks her head to one side. The owl does the same in return.]
Rose: Hedwig...? Mum!
WEASLEY HOUSE - DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - SAME TIME
[Rose’S POV, looking up -- a dizzying perspective of twisting railings and crooked bedroom doors. A clock hangs in view, bearing nine hands, each inscribed with a Weasley name, each pointing to mortal peril. Mrs. Weasley appears, looks down.]
Mrs. Weasley: What is it, Rose? Is it your father? Has something happened at the Ministry? Has he been kidnapped? Is it the Death Eaters?
Rose: Exactly. How’d you guess? [Mrs. Weasley throws her hands up over her face.]
Rose: I’m joking, Mum.
"It is not funny!" Scolded Lily.
Mrs. Weasley: You’re worse than Fred and George.
Rose: Now you’re joking. I was only
wondering when Anna got here.
Mrs. Weasley: Anna who?
Rose: Anna Dimpleton. Anna Potter, of course.
Mrs. Weasley: I think I’d know if Anna Potter was in my house, wouldn’t I?
Rose: Well her trunk’s and her owl are in the kitchen.
Mrs. Weasley: I seriously doubt that. [Just then, Hediwn screeches. Rose gives her an I-told-you-so look.]
Anna: (O.S.) Hello, Weasleys! [Rose spins. Anna is Standing in the doorway of the kitchen.]
Rose/Mrs. Weasley: Anna! [Anna and Rose run toward each other and hug.]
Mrs. Weasley: But why didn’t you tell us you were coming?
Anna: Didn’t know. (a shrug) Dumbledore.
Mrs. Weasley: That man. But then, what would we do without him?
"We would manage." Said Sirius.
YOU ARE READING
Anna Potter and the Half-blood prince
Fanfiction[Book 6] The story follows Anna's sixth year at Hogwarts as she receives a mysterious textbook, overcomes obstacles with her girlfriend, and attempts to retrieve a memory that holds the key to Lord Voldemort's downfall.
