Anna Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Chapter 4

WEASLEY HOUSE - SITTING ROOM
[Anna enters, trailed by Rose. Scrimgeour gestures the trio to the sofa. Anna eyes Scrimgeour with thinly concealed contempt.]
Anna: To what do we owe the pleasure, Minister?
Scrimgeour: I think we both know the answer to that question, Ms. Potter.
"What does that moron want?" Asked Sirius.
[Scrimgeour pitches a cloth bag onto the table before them. The duo regard it curiously, exchange glances.]
Anna: And this would be...?
Scrimgeour: Don’t be coy, Ms. Potter. Ms. Weasley. Would you say you were close to your former Headmaster?
"I don't like his attiude." Glared James.
Rose: Dumbledore? And me? I dunno. I reckon I was just another Weasley to him. He was always polite --
Scrimgeour: And you, Miss Potter? How would you characterize your relationship?
Anna: What’s this all about?
Scrimgeour: This. Despite the fact that
neither of you appear to have been particularly close to your recently deceased Headmaster, he saw fit to remember you in his will. Now why do you suppose that would be?
"None of your business!" Answered Barty.
[Anna and Rose exchange glances again.]
Anna: I don't know.
Scrimgeour: Come now, you don’t expect me to believe...
Anna: Excuse me, but i don't have to prove anything to you or ministry. That days are over and my relationships are none of your business.
"Go, little snake, flower/Pup!" Said Barty, James and Sirius.
Scrimgeour: You have changed, Ms. Potter. I miss the girl you were.
Anna: Many will. She was easier to manipulate.
"I love her." Said Barty to Evan.
"I know." Smiled Evan.
[Scrimgeour looks at her annoyed and reaches into his cloak, removes a scroll of parchment. Reads:]
Scrimgeour: ‘Herein is set forth the Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. First, to Rosalinda Ginerva Weasley, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive.'
[Scrimgeour reaches into the bag once again and retrieves a small book, its binding stained and peeling in places.]
"Story book? He left her story books?" Asked confused James.
Rose: Mum used to read me those! The
Wizard and the Hopping Pot, Babbitty Rabbity and her Cackling Stump... [Anna stares blankly at het.]
Rose: Oh, c’mon! Beedle’s stories are famous! Babbity Rabbitty? No...?
"How does she not know it?" Asked James.
"She was raised by muggles." Said Lily.
"Oh. Right." Said James.
[Scrimgeour eyes Rose with mild annoyance, continues.]
Scrimgeour: ‘To Anna Euphemia Potter, I leave the Snitch she caught in her first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill.'
"You think something is in the snitch?" Asked Barty to Regulus.
"Probably. I think that book was for something, too. He loves riddles, there has to be reason behind why he left them those." Said Regulus. Barty agreed.
[Scrimgeour places the tiny golden orb onto Anna’s palm, where it glimmers dully. Anna studies it, then looks up.]
Anna: That’s it then?
Scrimgeour: Not quite. Dumbledore left you a second bequest: The Sword of
Godric Gryffindor. Unfortunately, the Sword of Gryffindor was not Dumbledore’s to give away. As an important historical artifact, it
belongs...
Rose: To Anna! It belongs to Anna! It chose her! It came to her in the Chamber of Secrets when she most needed it!
"No. He is right. Gryffindor sword doesn't belong to anyone." Said Lucius.
Scrimgeour: The sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor, Miss Weasley. That does not make it that wizard’s property. And in any event the current whereabouts of the sword are unknown.
Anna: Excuse me?
Scrimgeour: The sword is missing. (before Anna can pursue) i won’t pretend to be your friend, Ms. Potter. But I assure you I’m not your enemy.
Anna: You’ll forgive me, Minister. But
it’s a little hard to tell the difference these days.
Scrimgeour: Dumbledore said something very similar the last time we spoke. [Scrimgeour gazes out the window, eyes haunted.]
Rose: Where is your guard, sir?
Scrimgeour: I came alone. I don’t really need them anymore... [He turns then, exits. Music is heard and laughter...]
"He is either on Voldy's side or is used to fact he's gonna be killed." Said Sirius.
MARQUEE - NIGHT
[The wedding party is in full swing. Anna, in dress, stands on the periphery, absently fingering the snitch as Bill and Fleur twirl madly within a clapping circle of well-wishers. Rose is laughing as Fred and George rush the dance floor, briefly sweep Fleur away from Bill, then begin to dance with each other; Far across the garden, Hagrid wends through the tables in his horrible hairy suit and presents a slice of cake to a pleased Olympe Maxime. Anna sees Ada and goes toward her.]
Anna: Ada!
Ada: (happy) Anna! [Ada hugs her.]
Gryffindors smile at them.
Mrs. Ettington: Hello, Ms. Potter. I'm Emilia Ettington. I'm glad i got to meet you. My daughter often talks about you. [Anna shakes her hand.]
Anna: It's nice to meet you, Ms. Ettington.
Mrs. Ettington: Pleace call me Emilia.
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
[Anna is sitting next to Ada. She looks at Tonks, then notices a slight, Tufty-haired wizard (Elphias Doge) sitting alone at a table just beyond her.]
Luna: Hello, Anna! Ada!
"She is beautiful." Smiled Evan. Barty and Regulus agreed.
[Luna Lovegood approaches in the company of a cross-eyed wizard (Xenophilius Lovegood) with shoulder-length whitehair the texture of candy floss. Both wear robes the color of egg yolk.]
Luna: Oh, I’ve interrupted a deep thought, haven’t I? I can see it growing smaller in your eyes.
Anna: No, ‘course not. How are you, Luna?
Luna: Very well. I was bitten by a garden gnome only moments ago. [She holds up her finger, which is sheathed in blood.]
"She should be more careful." Said Evan.
Xenophilius Lovegood: Gnome saliva is enormously beneficial! Xenophilius Lovegood. We live just over the hill! [Anna and Ada stand up and shake his hand.]
Anna: Nice to meet you, sir.
Ada: glad to meet you, sir.
[Lovegood suddenly leans close, whisperd fiercely:]
Xenophiliud: I trust you know, Ms. Potter, that we at The Quibbler, unlike those toadies at the Daily Prophet, fully supported Dumbledore during his lifetime and in his death support you just as fully.
"He is a good man." Said Lily.
Luna: Come, Daddy. Anna doesn’t want to talk to us right now. She’s just too nice to say so. [Lovegood’s eyes burn with righteousness, a triangular eye dangling from a chain around his neck. As Luna pulls him away, Anna glances once again across the garden.]
NEW ANGLE - MOMENTS LATER
[Elphias Doge sits alone, smiling absently as he observes the happy goings-on. Then:]
Anna: Sir? May I sit down?
Elphias Doge: Ms. Potter! By all means! [In a nervous flutter, Doge pours Anna a goblet of champagne.]
Anna: I found what you wrote in the Daily Prophet very moving, sir. I take it you knew Professor Dumbledore well?
Elphias Doge: I certainly knew him the longest, if you don’t count his brother Aberforth -- and somehow, people never do seem to count Aberforth.
"Dumbledore has brother?" Asked surprised Lily.
"They don't talk to each other." Said James.
Anna: I never even knew he had a brother, sir.
Elphias Doge: Yes, well, Dumbledore was always very private. Even as a boy.
Anna: Sir, I was wondering if you’d had
much contact with him before he died.
Elphias Doge: The occasional owl. Though it was strange...
Anna: Strange, sir?
Elphias doge: It was the owls themselves. They often arrived in distress. It was clear they’d traveled great distances in some cases.
Anna: Could you tell me from where they’d come, sir?
Elphias Doge: I’m afraid not. Albus’ messages mostly referenced our days together as schoolboys. They were surprisingly intimate. When he did speak of his current activities his words would turn elliptical. Still, I sensed he was under great stress. Why do you ask?
Anna: Just curious. I was... close to Professor Dumbledore.
"If you mean his favourite puppet." Snorted Barty.
Elphias Doge: Well, he treasured you, Ms. Potter, I can attest to that. I can also tell you that when a person passes, it’s only natural to rue the things left unsaid, to regret the question never asked. I knew Albus nigh on 100 years, but in many ways he will always remain a riddle even to me.
Woman: (O.S.) Don’t despair, Elphias. I’m told he’s been thoroughly unriddled by Rita Skeeter. In 800 pages no less. [Anna and Doge turn, study the profile of an ancient witch (Muriel) sitting at an adjacent table, a glass of champagne cradled in the bony fingers of one hand.]
Elphias Doge: That woman is a vulture, Muriel, and you well know it.
People agreed to that.
Muriel: Someone has to pick the bones to get at the truth. I read your obituary, Elphias. Lovely. But you did skate over some of the sticky patches in Dumbledore’s life.
Elphias Doge: I’m sorry you think so, Muriel. I assure you I was writing from the heart.
Muriel: Yes, well, Rita Skeeter hasn’t made that mistake, I’m sure. Word has it someone talked to her, someone who knew the Dumbledore family well. You and I both know who that is, Elphias.
Elphias Doge: A monstrous betrayal. I can only conclude the rumors are true and that she has become untethered.
Anna: Who are you talking about?
Muriel: Well, I don’t suppose it’ll be a secret once the book comes out. (relishing the moment) Bathilda Bagshot.
Anna: The writer?
Muriel: Yes, She knew the Dumbledores as well as anyone. She’d have letters, perhaps an interesting photograph or two. I’m sure Rita Skeeter would have thought it well worth a trip to Godric’s Hollow to take a
peek into that old bird’s rattled cage.
"What does she mean?" Asked Lily. James shrugged.
Anna: Godric’s Hollow? Bathilda Bagshot lives in Godric’s Hollow?
Muriel: For years now. That’s where she first met Dumbledore.
Anna: Excuse me? You don’t mean to say Dumbledore lived there too?
Muriel: Of course. The family moved there after his father killed those three Muggles. It was quite the scandal. (eyeing her) Honestly, my girl, are you sure you knew him at all?
Anna: He didn't talk about his past. [Then her eye catches a shooting star -- or what appears to be. As it plummets, it grows, gaining speed until it slices through the canopy, exploding in a burst of light. All goes silent as a silver lynx -- graceful and gleaming -- materializes amid the crowd. When it speaks, the Patronus has Shacklebolt’s sonorous voice.]
Patronus: The Ministry has fallen. The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming...
"No!" Said Gryffindors in horror.
[The lynx vanishes. A scream shreds the silence. Then: chaos.]
Elphias Doge: Nice meeting you, Ms. Potter! [Doge extends his hand toward Anna when -- CRACK! --he disapparates. Seconds later, the ancient witch has done the same. Anna scans the scattering crowd and meets Ada's eyes, she goes toward Anna, but her mother stops her and they disapparate. Than Anna and Rose see each other and go toward each other. Suddenly, the canopy above turns to ribbons as death eaters -- in dark cloaks and masks -- descend into the crowd.]
Everyone is tense.
[Arthur, Fred and George wield their wands. Anna runs toward Rose and grabs her. Rose looks up at her.]
Anna: It's time. [Rose nods and closes her eyes and a great whooshing sound fills Rose’s ears. She is thrown up and back in a whirlwind and all goes black.]