GREAT HALL - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[We hold on the Gothic glass of the main window. Ambient light, ominous and cool, plays across its shimmering surface. Flitwick, arms flowing gracefully, conducts a group of fifth years, looks up toward the window, eyes the pulsating light.]
COURTYARD - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[McGonagall stands in the courtyard as the choir drifts faintly on the night air. She glances up to the sky, a curious expression on her face, then spies a pair of First Years straggling across the courtyard.]
Professor McGonagall: To your Houses. No dawdling. [As they scuttle off, McGonagall looks back to the sky. A vortex of clouds swirls eerily in on itself. We pull back...]
CASTLE - WINDOW - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[...out of a window, its glass prickling with ambient light, and find Snape standing silently, staring at the gathering storm, his expression inscrutable. The choir a
murmur.]
COMMON ROOM - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[Darker than usual. The fire muted. Rose and Neville sit together. Silent. Glance toward the window, the sky beyond.]
"I feel like something bad is gonna happen." Said Regulus. People agreed.
HOSPITAL WING - SAME TIME - NIGHT
[Cassiopeia's face, skin glimmering with the light crawling across the ceiling above her. She stares, unblinking, swings out of the bed. Bare feet -- Cassie’s -- drop to the tiles.]
CORRIDOR - NIGHT
[The choir echoes eerily. Sixth years, little more than shadows, hang out, giggling in dark corners. Cassie glides by in her bare feet. Unnoticed. A ghost.]
ROOM OF REQUIREMENT - NIGHT
[Dense with shadow. Strange slashes of light. Cassie, a shadow within shadows, pulls the tapestry from the Vanishing Cabinet, steps back... She stares at the monolith before her, lifts her wand and begins to chant eerily. The surface of the cabinet glimmers, atremble in the ambient light. Almost alive.]
"What's happening?" Asked James nervously.
[Then she stops. Looking back, her eyes haunted, she slips away. Light plays within the cabinet. Movement. Shadows flicker within, coalesce. We ease up, reveal...Bellatrix. Greyback. And a few friends. Bellatrix steps into the light. Glances around. Grins.]
"Fuck." Said Sirius and Remus.
"She fixed it." Said impressed Barty.
ASTRONOMY TOWER - NIGHT
[Anna and Dumbledore materialize on the rooftop. Dumbledore glances above, notes the clouds.]
Anna: We need to get you up to the hospital, sir, to Madam Pomfrey --
Dumbledore: No. Severus... Severus is who I need... Go and wake him... Tell him what has happened... Speak to no one else... I... I shall wait here...
"Why him?" Asked Lily confused.
Anna: All right. Okay. [Anna gently disengages from Dumbledore, leaves him leaning against the ramparts. She dashes to the stairwell door and, glancing back, sees Dumbledore muttering wearily as he gesticulates with his blackened hand.]
Anna: Sir, are you... praying?
Dumbledore: (smiling faintly) No, Anna. I do not pray. I was merely closing a window -- the one that had allowed us to Apparate.
"So there is a window that allows you to appearate?" Asked Barty excited.
"Not the time." Said Evan, after noticing Gryffindors' glares.
[Anna nods, begins to open the door, when footsteps sound. Draws her wand. Dumbledore cocks his head, listening. Wincing, he straightens up, as if to mask his infirmity.]
Dumbledore: Hide yourself below. And do not speak or show yourself without my permission. No matter what. [Anna looks down, through the lattiecework at her feet, to the tier below. The footsteps draw closer.]
Dumbledore: Do as I say, Anna. [Anna pockets her wand and slips down the stairs. As she reaches the level below,
the door above flies open. Anna peers up through the grid, watches Cassie come into view.]
"It's the time." Said Lucius. Narcissa watched nervously.
Dumbledore: Good evening, Cassiopeia. What brings you out on such a fine Spring evening? Or is it Summer? [Cassie stands poised, wand in hand, eyes darting about.]
Cassie: Who else is here? I heard you talking.
Dumbledore: I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful. That which sounds sane at a whisper, can seem utterly mad when said for all the world to hear. Haven’t been whispering to yourself, have you, Cassiopeia? [Cassie eyes Dumbledore with unease.]
"I don't understand this man." Said Regulus.
"I know. You hate him for that." Said amused Evan.
Dumbledore: You are not an assassin, Cassiopeia. [Cassiopeia chuckled.]
Cassiopeia: You have no idea who I am? I’ve done things that would shock you.
Dumbledore: Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she would, in turn, bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with poison. Forgive me, Cassiopeia, but these are attempts so feeble I cannot help but question if your heart has been really in them.
"He's right about that. She killed Nott like a true professional and it was her first kill and now she made so many mistakes. It's like she wants to get caugh." Said Regulus. Others, of course, agreed.
Dumbledire: I’m curious. When Voldemort gave you this task, when he asked you to kill me, was it in a whisper?
Cassie: He choose me for this!
[Cassie thrusts out her arm, pulls back her sleeve and reveals the Dark Mark. Dumbledore barely looks at it.]
Dumbledore: Then I shall make it easy for you. [Slowly and without intent, Dumbledore draws his wand. Instantly Cassie raises her own.]
Cassie: Expelliarumus! [Anna watches confused as Dumbledore’s wand flies free, clattering across the grid above.]
"It was too easy." Said worried Narcissa.
"What is he planning?" Asked nervous Lucius.
[Cassie watches it roll to a stop, a curious mixture of fear and awe. Dumbledore eyes the wand, then Cassiopeia.]
Dumbledore: Well done, Cassiophea. But I warn you. Killing is not nearly as easy.
Cassie: Isn't it? Why did you let me disarm you? We both know you could block it. [Cassie looks into Dumbledore’s eyes, then to the sky, at the gathering clouds, twisting darkly, then glances to the stairwell. Dumbledore notices.]
Dumbledore: You’re not alone. Are you. There are others. How? [A sneering smile plays over Cassie’s lips.]
Cassie: The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement.
Dumbledore: That cabinet has been broken for years.
Cassie: I’ve been mending it.
Dumbledore: Ingenious.
"He is right about that. Fixing cabinets isn't easy, excpecially if it had been out of order for years." Said Barty. Lucius looks proud.
Dumbledore: Let me guess. It has a sister. A twin.
Malfoy: In Borgin & Burkes. They form --
Dumbledore: A passage, yes. Very good. (eyes shifting) I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Cassiopeia.
"Now? She has been showing things whole year! Now it's too late!" Yelled Regulus, which surprised everyone.
"I have a right to be angry for my niece." Said Regulus, now with his mask on.
Cassie: You are too late don't you see it? Once you become a death eater there is only one way out: Death!
"Theo's words." Said Narcissa.
Cassie: I have to do it! I have to! (in a whisper) I’ve got to kill you or he’ll kill my family.
Dumbledore: Say that again, Cassiopeia. But aloud this time. [Cassiopeia looks deep into Dumbledore’s eyes. Her hand
trembles.]
Cassie: If i don't do this, he will kill my mother and brother and my father will rot in askaban surrounded by dementors rest of his life!
"She shouldn't be.. She shouldn't have to. I should be the one protecting family." Said Lucius and buried his face in his hands. Narcissa patted his back.
"It's future. We can fix it. We will fix it." Said Narcissa.
Cassie: And I will do whatever it takes to protect my family, even if it means i have to destroy only chance of his defeat.
Regulus, Narcissa and Lucius look at little heiress with pride.
[The door flies open: Bellatrix, Greyback and the others. Cassiopeia stops trembling and takes every emotion of her face.]
"She is using occulemency?" Asked James.
Bellatrix: Well now, look what we have here. Dumbledore. Wandless and alone. Cornered in his own castle. Well done, Cassiopeia. [Anna peers up, eyes flashing angrily at the sound of Bellatrix’s voice. She draws her wand slowly.]
"Don't do anything stupid, Anna!" Said Lily sternly.
Dumbledore: Good evening, Bellatrix. I think introductions are in order.
Bellatrix: Love to, Albus. But I’m afraid
we’re on a bit of a tight schedule. (to Cassie) Do it. [Cassie aims for Dumbledore once again. Anna raises her own, aiming through the grid at Bellatrix.]
"Don't let emotions control you like stupid Gryffindor!" Scolded worried Barty.
[Just then, a shadow splinters through the columns to her right. She looks, finds Snape, quiet as a ghost, peering upward. Carefully, Snape draws his wand, then turns to Anna, a finger to his lips: Shhh. Then he is drifting upward. Silent. A ghost again.]
Greyback: She doesn’t have the stomach. Like her father. Let me finish him. In my own way.
"Filthy mutt!" Glared Lucius.
[Cassie turns around and aims wand toward Greyback.]
Cassie: Do you know what's darker than grey, Grayback? Black! Shut it or i will show you how much i take after my mother's side of the family!
Regulus smirks proudly. Narcissa sends Lucius smug look. Lucius rolls his eyes.
[Bellatrix cackles. Grayback tries to attack.]
Cassie: Immoblus! [Greyback frozens.]
Bellatrix: Showing mercy?
Cassie: (scoffs) Of course not, but dark lord needs this mongrel.
Bellatrix: Good answer, Cassie!
People glare at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix: Now finish your task! Kill Dumbledore! [Once again Cassiopeia turns her wand toward Dumbledore. Just when Cassiopeia opens her mouth to say the curse, There is Snape's voice.]
Snape: (O.S.) No.
Cassiopeia: (groans) What now? [Anna watches Snape come into view.]
"What is he doing?" Asked Lucius.
Dumbledore: Severus...
Bellatrix: Well, look who’s here. Hogwarts own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter?
Dumbledore: Severus... please.
Snape: I gave my word. I made a vow...
Cassiopeia: What do you-- [Snape’s arm rises.]
Snape: Avada Kedavra! [A jet of green light hits Dumbledore squarely in the chest. For a second he hangs, suspended upon the ramparts, and then... the night swallows him.]
Some looks shocked to see great Albus Dumbledore die, Lily looks shocke by Snape's betrayal.
[Bellatrix raises her wand to the sky and a deafening blast shakes the castle. The clouds explode with grim light, mutating into a skull. As the Death Eaters flee, Snape’s arm drops limply to his side.]
Snape: You can no longer stay here. [Cassiopeia points her wand at Snape and looks at him with dark look.]
Cassiopeia: If my family will be punished, because you decided to show off, I'll make sure dark lord will be recovering pieces of you for four months and you will be alive during three of them!
Narcissa smirks proudly.
"She is a true Black." Said amused, smirking Regulus. Lucius looks at his daughter with pride and love shining in his eyes.
"I like her more and more." Said Barty.
[Cassiopeia walks out of the door followed by Snape. Anna scrambles up the stairs and lurches to the ramparts, Bathed in the green light from above. She peers down. Anna looks up into the leering skull above. Rage fills her eyes.]
ASTRONOMY TOWER - SAME TIME
[Snape leads Cassie and Bellatrix down the spiraling staircase.]
SLUGHORN’S CORRIDOR - NIGHT
[Snape leads on, his face a mask as he rounds a corner. Students in pajamas and robes peer at the emerald sky, then turn, stare curiously at their teacher and his companions. Snape sweeps past wordlessly. Cassiopeia averts her eyes. Bellatrix leers at a tiny first year, leans
close:]
Bellatrix: Boo.
Everyone glares at Bellatrix.
OUTSIDE GREAT HALL - NIGHT
[Hearing footsteps, an auror turns, is balsted off his feet as Snape and the others appear. Bellatrix lags, then steps to the towering doors of the Hall, peering upward, past the floating candles to the vaulted ceiling, solemn as a church. Raising her wand, she sends a fiery bolt toward the grand window opposite. As it explodes, a blast of cold air sweeps the room, extinguishing the candles. Snape turns, looks back. Bellatrix simply grins, a mad child. Cassiopeia sees Theo and Blair and goes toward them.]
Theo: Did you do it?
Cassie: Snape did. And i might have made enemy out of Greyback.
"Which was terrible idea!" Said Remus.
Theo/Blair: You did what?
Cassie: Don't worry. Dark lord warned him to not attack Death eaters and he was trying to attack me, so it can be considered self-defence. Doesn't matter. Blair, what are you doing here?
Blair: Doesn't matter? You know who he is?
Cassie: I do and i also know who has he on the leash and if i didn't do that i would look weak and trust me, we really don't want that! Now get out!
Slytherins agreed eith Cassie.
"If she appears weak in death eaters' eyes, she will be walked over." Said Evan.
Blair: I can handle myself!
Cassie: Theo!
Theo: Cassie is right. You don't want to be in between aurors and death eaters. Hide!
Blair: But...
Theo: It's not up to discussion! We'll see you after it's done! [Cassie looks around and sees Snape watching, Bellatrix is distracted, causing chaos.]
Cassie: We are already attracting attention! Get out, Blair!
"Listen to them!" Said Narcissa.
Theo: Go to your dorm, they will probably won't go in Slytherin dormitories. [Cassie nods. Blair sends them a glare and goes.]
YOU ARE READING
Anna Potter and the Half-blood prince
Fanfic[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.
