HOSPITAL WING - EARLY MORNING
[Anna, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall and a very somber Neville circle Rose's bed as madam Pomfrey ministers to her. Slughorn sits off to the side, in a chair, looking stunned.]
Gryffindors look at Rose worried.
Dumbledore: Quick thinking on your part, Anna. Using a Bezoar. You must be very proud of your student, eh, Horace?
Slughorn: Hm? Oh. Yes... very proud.
Professor McGonagall: I think we all agree that Ms. Potter’s actions were heroic. The question is: Why were they necessary.
"That's what we want to know!" Said James.
Dumbledore: Why indeed.[Dumbledore takes the half-empty bottle of mead, still bearing a bit of gift wrap.]
Dumbledore: This appears to be a gift, Horace. You don’t by chance remember who gave you this bottle, do you -- which by the way possesses remarkably subtle hints of licorice and cherry when not polluted with poison.
Slughorn: Actually, I had intended to give it as a gift myself.
Dumbledore: To whom might I ask?
Slughorn: You, Headmaster.
People look confused, Trying to understand what happened.
[When Rose snorts, stirring.]
Anna: (happily) Rose!
Rose: Ne... vi... lee... Ne! Vi! Le! [Rose, in a haze, reaches out blindly.]
"She is okay." Smiled Lily.
[Neville takes her hand. Instantly, she falls unconscious again. Dumbledore beams.]
Dumbledore: Ah, to be young and fall in love. Come, everyone, I think Ms. Weasley is well tended. [As Dumbledore leads the others past Anna, Anna studies him. Anna sees Slughorn has paused in the doorway.]
Slughorn: I’ve always cherished my students. They’re my life... [Then he is gone too.]
People look at Slughorn with pity.
"I feel bad for him." Said Lily. James agreed.
[Anna turns back, studies Neville, hand enfolded over Rose’s. He looks up, sees her faint smile. Neville blushes.]
GREAT HALL - DAY
[Anna spoons soup into her mouth while perusing the HalfBlood Prince’s Potion book, her eyes lingering, as before, over the Sectusembra spell: “For Enemies.” Neville and Rose are talking and giggling.]
"Ughh. They are so disgustingly sweet." Said Sirius.
[At the back of the Hall, a group of girls surrounds a new arrival. Katie Bell, pale but smiling, greets the other girls. After a moment, she looks up. Finds Anna standing before her.]
Anna: How are you, Katie?
Katie Bell: Give me a moment, girls. [The girls drift off. Anna watches them go, curious.]
Katie Bell: I know you’re going to ask, Anna. But I don’t know who cursed me. I’ve tried to remember. Honestly. But I just... can’t... [Katie’s eyes shift. She goes ashen. Anna turns, follows her gaze and finds... Cassie, staring at her. Katie backs away, retreating to the other girls. Anna watches her go, then looks back. Catches Cassie fleeing the Hall.]
CORRIDOR - DAY
[Cassie hurtles past, forehead gleaming with sweat, passes out of frame. Seconds later, Anna appears, follows. As she passes the birdcage... we hold. It’s now empty.]
BATHROOM - SAME TIME
[Cassie lurches to the mirror, steadies herself against the sink. Then, with a great, heaving shudder begins to... cry.]
Cassiopeia: I can't do this... I can't do this... [Her breathing gets fast.]
Lucius, Regulus and Narcissa with others look at Cassie sadly.
[In the mirror, we see the bathroom door ease open: Anna. She stops, stunned. Cassie's eyes shift. Horrified to be exposed. She wheels, points herwand. WHOOSH! The lamp next to Anna’s head shatters. Flames spider up the ceiling. Anna takes out her wand.]
Anna: Expelliarmus! [Cassiopeia's wind flies toward her. Cassiopeia glares at her.]
Anna: I'm sorry. If you don't attack me, i'll give you your wand back. [Cassie looks at her suspiciously.]
Cassie: Why?
Anna: Because i just want to talk, okay? You have been avoiding me for months and i let you, because i thought you needed time and space for yourself. But it is getting out of hand already! You look like you haven't slept or eaten anything! Only time you talked to me was when you got jaelous, you don't even come to Astronomy tower anymore!
Narcissa, Regulus and Lucius looks at Cassie worried.
Cassie: I'm fine.
Anna: I'm your girlfriend! You don't have to pretend with me. Let me help you! Please.
Cassie: You can't help me!
Anna: I can try. I can at least hear you out. I can shear your worries. Isn't it what girlfriends are supposed to do? [Cassie looks away.]
Anna: I know you cursed Katie Bell and i think it was accident.
Cassie: I don't know what you're talking about.
Anna: Remember last year when you told me my eyes changed? [Cassie nodded.]
Anna: Now it's yours that changed. What happened to you this summer, Cas? I know that eyes, i see it in the mirror everyday. That is survivor's eyes. What happened?
"It won't happen this time! She.." said Narcissa. Lucius held her hand.
"It won't. This time i'll be there! We can go to France or somewhere else where she will be safe. I will protect her." Said Lucius.
"We will." Corrected Narcissa. Lucius nodded and kissed her hand.
Cassiopeia: Give me my wand back. [Anna gives her her wand. Cassiopeia and Anna are looking in each others eyes, hands on the Cassiopeia's wand. Anna sats down on floor. Cassie hesistates, but still sits down next to her.]
Anna: We're more alike than you think, Cas. Two girls who are forced to fight in adults war. You do what you have to do and i do what i have to do. Neither of us have choice. [Cassiopeia studies her.]
Cassiopeia: I have changed Anna. You can't even imagine things i have done.
Anna: (smiles) We all do terrible things for people we love.
Canna shippers smiled.
Cassiopeia: (small smile) Using my words against me? [Anna takes deep breath.]
Anna: I'm the girl who survived. I fought to live since the day i was born. In home, in school, i always fight for survival, that's why i know what you feel now better than anyone. I know what it feels like to feel trapped in your own house, i know how it feels to stare at yourself in the mirror with tears in your eyes, begging to just hold on and be strong. I know how much pain you are in and how terrified you are of what you might become. I understand.
Everyone tears up. Lily sobs in James's arms. Narcissa hides her face in Lucius's chest. Lucius's eyes are also teary, but he doesn't let tear drop.
[Cassie gazes into Anna's understanding eyes. There is a long silence. Then Cassie sights and leans her head on wall.]
Cassiopeia: We are both so fucked up.
Anna: (chuckles) That we are. [Cassie hesistates, but finally tells Anna.]
Cassie: (sights) I knew this would happen later or earlier, but it's different when you actually have a dark mark and get tasks. [Anna doesn't intterupt.]
Slytheirns agreed, but they would never admit it in front of Gryffindors.
Cassie: I- I had to do so many horrible things this summer, Anna. I- (tears roll down her face) and now my task is practically impossible and I am just so tired. [Cassie sniffles.]
Slytherins look at her empathetically. Narcissa and Lucius feel guilty for not being able to help her.
[Anna wraps her arms around Cassie.]
Cassie: He- He promised if i did it, he will get dad out of Askaban, but if i- i don't, he will kill mom and Theo. [Cassie sobs.]
People look at her with pity.
Anna: Task is fixing cabinet, isn't it?
Cassie: How- How do you know?
Anna: There is a map my father and his friends made. That map shows whole Hogwarts except Come-and-go-room and shows everyone inside of the castle.
"That's secret!" Protested Marauders.
Cassie: (splutters) W- w- what?
Anna: I'll show you later. What i'm trying to say is that you and Theo often dissappeared there, not to mention how we saw you in Borgin& Burkes where you were interested in vanishing cabinets. [Cassie pales.]
Anna: Don't worry! No one else knows. Rose suspects, but i told her it wasn't true.
Cassie: You- you lied to Weaslette for me? [Anna nodded, looking guilty. Cassie kisses her, Anna kisses back.]
Cassie: Can you sing for me?
Anna: Of course. [Cassie places her head on Anna's shoulder. Anna sings her song "Daylight" (In reality, David Kushner's)]
Anna: Telling myself I won't go there
Oh, but I know that I won't care
Tryna wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share
Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by pride and guilt
(Ooh) There's darkness in the distance
From the way that I've been livin'
(Ooh) But I know I can't resist it
People look at war children with sadness.
Anna: Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
You and I drink the poison from the same vine
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
Hidin' all of our sins from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight. [Anna play with Cassie's hair while Cassie sobs.]
Anna: Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
Tellin' myself it's the last time
Can you spare any mercy that you might find
If I'm down on my knees again?
Deep down, way down, Lord, I try
Try to follow your light, but it's nighttime
Please don't leave me in the end
(Ooh) There's darkness in the distance
I'm beggin' for forgiveness
(Ooh) But I know I might resist it, oh
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time.
Lucius looks like slapped by lyrics.
Anna: You and I drink the poison from the same vine
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
Hidin' all of our sins from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
You and I drink the poison from the same vine
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time
Hidin' all of our sins from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight
From the daylight, runnin' from the daylight
Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time.
"This is her best song." Said Regulus, clearly touched by song. Slytherins agreed.
[Tears roll down Cassie's face. After few minutes of silence:]
Cassie: I have second task, too. Cabinet was easy one. I'm almost finished.
"What is it?" Asked Narcissa.
Anna: (Worried) what is second task? [Cassie looks down at her hands.]
Cassie: I have to kill Dumledore.
"What?" Screamed everyone.
Anna: (wide-eyed) You poisoned Professor Slughorn's wine to kill Dumbledore. [Cassie nods teary eyed.]
Anna: Voldemort is punishing you for your father's failures toward him. He gave you this task to get you killed!
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Lucius keeps muttering with teary eyes. Narcissa touched his arm.
"We will fix this." Said Narcissa.
Cassie: I know. [Anna stands up and paces anxiously.]
Anna: Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Cassie: I am sorry. I know Dumbledore is neccesery to win war--
Anna: Fuck Dumbledore! We both know i'll be the one who will have to fight no matter Dumbledore is alive or not. But Dumbledore has knowledge. Before know Dumbledore always gave me direction. He knows how to defeat Voldy and is teaching me. I need his knowledge. [Anna goes silent and just paces around. After few seconds, Cassie starts shaking again. Anna kneels in front of her and holds her hands.]
Anna: Look at me. It's okay. You are okay. You are trying to protect your family. I'll find a way to get information from Dumbledore faster or find another way. It will be okay. It's not your fault, all this, It's only Voldemort's fault. You are just trying to protect your family.
Lucius's look toward Anna softened.
[Cassie stands up.]
Cassie: We have to break up.
Anna: I love you, Cas.
Cassie: Can't you hear yourself? I almost got your best friend killed and you defend me! I just said i would kill Dumbledore and risk the fate of the war and you still defend me!
"This is crazy!" Said James.
"She understands and welcomes her darkness. This is love!" Said Barty.
Anna: Because i love you. I love every part of you. You said it yourself, love is found in darkness. I fell in love with not parts of yourself, but all of you.
"They are the best couple." Announced Evan.
[Cassie kisses her. They pull apart.]
Anna: Want to go to Room of Requirment? [Cassie looks confused for a second, than notices Anna's look and realises. She nods.]
ROOM OF REQUIRMENT
[Cassie and Anna are making out on bed, half-naked.]
"Aaaaah!" Shouted males and covered their eyes.
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.
