Daughter of a Criminal

Diagon Ally

Ann would've gone to stay with the Weasleys, but they had their Egypt trip, luckily she ran into Harry in Diagon Alley as she had been staying at the Leaky Cauldron instead this summer. As Harry entered Flourish and Blotts, the manager came hurrying toward him. "Hogwarts?" he said abruptly. "Come to get your new books?"
"Yes," said Harry, "I need --"
"Harry!" Ann yelled, running up and engulfing him in a hug.
"Get out of the way," said the manager impatiently, brushing Harry and Ann aside. He drew on a pair of very thick gloves, picked up a large, knobbly walking stick, and proceeded toward the door of the Monster Books' cage. Ann held her copy close to her side.
"Hang on," said Harry quickly, "I've already got one of those."
"Have you?" A look of enormous relief spread over the manager's face. "Thank heavens for that. I've been bitten five times already this morning --" He said, giving Ann a pointed look. A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart. "Stop it! Stop it!" cried the manager, poking the walking stick through the bars and knocking the books apart. "I'm never stocking them again, never! It's been bedlam! I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility -cost a fortune, and we never found them....," as the manger freaked out Ann helped Harry find his other books as they had the same classes. Ann and Harry emerged from Flourish and Blotts ten minutes later with their new books under their arms and made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. They got to they inn and sat down to talk.
"Ann," said Harry
"Is it true you really blew up your aunt?" Ann asked
"How'd you hear about that?" Harry asked
"Ron told me about it,"
"Right well what are you doing here?"
"Well that wizard that's on the loose, he's my dad, and well my uncle Mason has been super busy trying to apprehend him, so he dropped me off here, with a fidelius charm on my whereabouts, of course, but it's been terribly boring so I'm quite glad I ran into you Harry," Ann said
"Wait your dads?"
"Unfortunately he's Sirius Black," said Ann gloomliy. As the days slipped by, Harry and Ann started looking wherever they went for a sign of Ron or Hermione. Plenty of Hogwarts students were arriving in Diagon Alley now, with the start of term so near. Harry and Ann met Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, their fellow Gryffindors, in Quality Quidditch Supplies, where they too were ogling the Firebolt; they also ran into the real Neville Longbottom, a round-faced, forgetful boy, outside Flourish and Blotts. Ann woke on the last day of the holidays, thinking that she would at least meet Ron and Hermione tomorrow, on the Hogwarts Express. She got up, dressed, met up with Harry, and went for a last look at the Firebolt, and was just wondering where they'd have lunch, when someone yelled her name and she turned.
"Harry! Ann! HARRY! ANN!" They were there, both of them, sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor -- Ron looking incredibly freckly, one very brown, both waving frantically at the pair.
"Finally!" said Ron, grinning at Harry and Ann as they sat down. "We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left, and we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and --"
"We got all our school stuff last week," Ann explained.
"And how come You knew I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?" Harry asked
"Mr. Weasley?" Ann wondered
"Yep," said Ron confirmed.
"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" said Hermione in a very serious voice.
"I didn't mean to," said Harry, while Ron roared with laughter. "I just -- lost control."
"It's not funny, Ron," said Hermione sharply. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled." "So am I," admitted Harry. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested." He looked at Ron. "Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"
"Probably 'cause it's you, isn't it?" shrugged Ann, chuckling.
"Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because Mum would've killed me. Anyway, you can ask Dad yourself this evening. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight too! So you can come to King's Cross with us tomorrow! Hermione's there as well!" said Ron. Hermione nodded, beaming.
"Mum and Dad dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things."
"Excellent!" said Harry happily.
"Thank Merlin," Ann agreed
"Look at this," said Ron, pulling a long thin box out of a bag and opening it. "Brand-new wand. Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn tail-hair. And we've got all our books --" He pointed at a large bag under his chair. "What about those Monster Books, eh? The assistant nearly cried when we said we wanted two."
"What's all that, Hermione?" Harry asked, pointing at not one but three bulging bags in the chair next to her. ,,
"Well, I'm taking more new subjects than you, aren't I?' said Hermione. "Those are my books for Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, the Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies --"
"What are you doing Muggle Studies for?" said Ron, rolling his eyes at Harry. "You're Muggle- born! Your mum and dad are Muggles! You already know all about Muggles!"
"But it'll be fascinating to study them from the wizarding point of view," said Hermione earnestly.
"Are you planning to eat or sleep at all this year, Hermione?" asked Harry
"I'll make sure she does," Ann promised, while Ron sniggered. Hermione ignored them.
"I've still got ten Galleons," she said, checking her purse. "It's my birthday in September, and Mum and Dad gave me some money to get myself an early birthday present."
"How about a nice book?" said Ron innocently, but Ann still kicked his shin under the table. "No, I don't think so," said Hermione composedly. "I really want an owl. I mean, Harry's got Hedwig, Anns got Gray-
"Family owl really," said Ann
"-and you've got Errol --" Hermoine continued
"I haven't," said Ron. "Errol's a family owl. All I've got is Scabbers." He pulled his pet rat out of his pocket. "And I want to get him checked over," he added, placing Scabbers on the table in front of them. "I don't think Egypt agreed with him." Scabbers was looking thinner than usual, and there was a definite droop to his whiskers.
"There's a magical creature shop just over there," said Harry, who knew Diagon Alley very well by now.
"You could see if they've got anything for Scabbers, and Hermione can get her owl," Ann added. So they paid for their ice cream and crossed the street to the Magical Menagerie. There wasn't much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very noisy because the occupants of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering, or hissing. The witch behind the counter was already advising a wizard on the care of double-ended newts, so Ann, Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited, examining the cages. A pair of enormous purple toads sat gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies. A gigantic tortoise with a jewel-encrusted shell was glittering near the window. Poisonous orange snails were oozing slowly up the side of their glass tank, and a fat white rabbit kept changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise. Then there were cats of every color, a noisy cage of ravens, a basket of funny custard-colored furballs that were humming loudly, and on the counter, a vast cage of sleek black rats that were playing some sort of skipping game using their long, bald tails. The double-ended newt wizard left, and Ron approached the counter.
"It's my rat," he told the witch. "He been a bit off-color ever since I brought him back from Egypt."
"Bang him on the counter," said the witch, pulling a pair of heavy black spectacles out of her pocket. Ron lifted Scabbers out of his inside pocket and placed him next to the cage of his fellow rats, who stopped their skipping tricks and scuffled to the wire for a better look. Like nearly everything Ron owned, Scabbers the rat was secondhand (he had once belonged to Ron's brother Percy) and a bit battered. Next to the glossy rats in the cage, he looked especially woebegone.
"Hm," said the witch, picking up Scabbers. "How old is this rat?"
"Dunno," said Ron. "Quite old. He used to belong to my brother."
"What powers does he have?" said the witch, examining Scabbers closely.
"Er --" The truth was that Scabbers had never shown the faintest trace of interesting powers. The witch's eyes moved from Scabbers's tattered left ear to his front paw, which had a toe missing, and tutted loudly.
"He's been through the mill, this one," she said.
"He was like that when Percy gave him to me," said Ron defensively.
"An ordinary common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so," said the witch. "Now, if you were looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these --" She indicated the black rats, who promptly started skipping again. Ron muttered, "Show-offs."
"Well, if you Don't want a replacement, you can try this rat tonic," said the witch, reaching under the counter and bringing out a small red bottle.
"Okay," said Ron. "How much -- OUCH!" Ron buckled as something huge and orange came soaring from the top of the highest cage, landed on his head, and then propelled itself, spitting madly, at Scabbers.
"NO, CROOKSHANKS, NO!" cried the witch, but Scabbers, shot from between her hands like a bar of soap, landed splay-legged on the floor, and then scampered for the door. "Scabbers!" Ron shouted, racing out of the shop after him; Harry and Ann followed. It took them nearly ten minutes to catch Scabbers, who had taken refuge under a wastepaper bin outside Quality Quidditch Supplies. Ron stuffed the trembling rat back into his pocket and straightened up, massaging his head.
"What was that?"
"It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger," said Harry.
"Definitely a small tiger," said Ann
"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked
"Probably getting her owl," Ann suggested. They made their way back up the crowded street to the Magical Menagerie. As they reached it, Hermione came out, but she wasn't carrying an owl. Her arms were clamped tightly around the enormous ginger cat.
"You bought that monster?" said Ron, his mouth hanging open.
"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" said Hermione, glowing. That was a matter of opinion, thought Ann. The cat's ginger fur was thick and fluffy, but it was definitely a bit bowlegged and its face looked grumpy and oddly squashed, as though it had run headlong into a brick wall. Now that Scabbers was out of sight, however, the cat was purring contentedly in Hermione's arms.
"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" said Ron.
"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks?" said Hermione.
"And what about Scabbers?" said Ron, pointing at the lump in his chest pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with that thing around?"
"That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic," said Hermione, slapping the small red bottle into Ron's hand. "And stop worrying, Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers in yours, what's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in there for ages; no one wanted him."
"Wonder why," said Ron sarcastically as they set off toward the Leaky Cauldron. They found Mr. Weasley sitting in the bar, reading the Daily prophet.
"Harry! Ann!" he said, smiling as he looked up. "How are you?"
"Fine, thanks," said Harry as he, Ann, Ron, and Hermione joined Mr. Weasley with their shopping. Mr. Weasley put down his paper, and Ann saw the now familiar picture of Sirius Black staring up at him.
"They still haven't caught him, then?" Harry asked.
"No," said Mr. Weasley, looking extremely grave. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far."
"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" asked Ron. "It'd be good to get some more money --" At this Ann looked down busying herself with the table peelings.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," said Mr. Weasley, who on closer inspection looked very strained. "Black's-"said Mr. Weasley, Ann coughed annoyed, "not going to be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, You mark my words." At that moment Mrs. Weasley entered the bar, laden with shopping bags and followed by the twins, Fred and George, who were about to start their fifth year at Hogwarts; the newly elected Head Boy, Percy; and the Weasleys' youngest child and only girl, Ginny. Ginny muttered "hello" barley looking at Harry. Percy, however, held out his hand solemnly as though he and Harry had never met and said,
"Harry. How nice to see you."
"Hello, Percy," said Harry, trying not to laugh as Ann imitated Percy behind him.
"I hope you're well?" said Percy pompously, shaking hands. Ann held up her nose and put out her hand causing Harry to snigger.
"Very well, thanks --"
"Harry!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply, Ann took this as her cue and simply bowed before sitting back down. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy --"
"Marvelous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing." Percy scowled.
"That's enough, now," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum!" said Fred as though he'd only just spotted her and seizing her hand too. "How really corking to see you --"
"I said, that's enough," said Mrs. Weasley, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. "Hello, Harry, dear. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" She pointed to the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride. "And last," Fred muttered under his breath.
"I don't doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."
"What do we want to be prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life." Ginny giggled.
"You want to set a better example for your sister!" snapped Mrs. Weasley.
"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy loftily. "I'm going up to change for dinner..." He disappeared and George heaved a sigh.
"We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he told Harry and Ann. "But Mum spotted us." Dinner that night was a very enjoyable affair. Tom the innkeeper put three tables together in the parlor, and the seven Weasleys, Ann, Harry, and Hermione ate their way through five delicious courses.
"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred as they dug into a sumptuous chocolate pudding.
"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr. Weasley. Everyone looked up at him. "Why?" said Percy curiously.
"It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them"
"-- for Humongous Bighead," said Fred.
"Of course they didn't tell you Percy?" Ann asked. Everyone except Percy and Mrs. Weasley snorted into their pudding.
"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked again, in a dignified voice.
"Well, as we haven't got one anymore," said Mr. Weasley, "-- and as I work there, they're doing me a favor --" His voice was casual, but Ann couldn't help noticing that Mr. Weasley's ears had gone red, just like Ron's did when he was under pressure.
"Good thing, too," said Mrs. Weasley briskly. "Do you realize how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground.... You are all packed, aren't you?"
"Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," said Percy, in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed."
"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs. Weasley called down the table. Ron scowled at Percy. After dinner everyone felt very full and sleepy. One by one they made their way upstairs to their rooms to check their things for the next day. Ron and Percy were next door to Ann, Ginny, and Hermoine. She had just closed and locked her own trunk when she heard angry voices through the wall, and went to see what was going on. Ginny and Hermoine were asleep so Ann walked out. Harry was halfway along the passage to the bar, which was now very dark, when he ran into Ann who was listening to a pair of angry voices coming from the parlor.
"Ann-,"
"Shhhh!" Ann whispered. A second later, Harry recognized them as Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys'. "--makes no sense not to tell him," Mr. Weasley was saying heatedly. "Harry's got a right to know. I've tried to tell Fudge, but he insists on treating Harry like a child. He's thirteen years old and --"
"Arthur, the truth would terrify him!" said Mrs. Weasley shrilly. "Do you really want to send Harry back to school with that hanging over him? For heaven's sake, he's happy not knowing! And what about his friendship with Ann? He would hate her if he knew the truth!" "I don't want to make him miserable, I want to put him on his guard! And Ann isn't her father Harry will have to forgive Ann" retorted Mr. Weasley.
"You know what those three are like, wandering off by themselves -- they've ended up in the Forbidden Forest twice! But Harry mustn't do that this year! When I think what could have happened to him that night he ran away from home! If the Knight Bus hadn't picked him up, I'm prepared to bet he would have been dead before the Ministry found him."
"But he's not dead, he's fine, so what's the point? Molly, they say Sirius Black's mad, and maybe he is, but he was clever enough to escape from Azkaban, and that's supposed to be impossible. It's been three weeks, and no one's seen hide nor hair of him, and I don't care what Fudge keeps telling the Daily Prophet, we're no nearer catching Black than inventing self-spelling wands. The only thing we know for sure is what Black's after,"
"But Harry will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts."
"We thought Azkaban was perfectly safe. If Black can break out of Azkaban, he can break into Hogwarts."
"But no one's really sure that Black's after Harry, he could be after Ann!" There was a thud on wood, and Ann was sure Mr. Weasley had banged his fist on the table.
"Molly, how many times do I have to tell you? They didn't report it in the press because Fudge wanted it kept quiet, but Fudge went out to Azkaban the night Black escaped. The guards told Fudge that Blacks been talking in his sleep for a while now. Always the same words: 'He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts.' Black is deranged, Molly, and he wants Harry dead. If you ask me, he thinks murdering Harry will bring You-Know-Who back to power. Black lost everything the night Harry stopped You- Know-Who, and he's had twelve years alone in Azkaban to brood on that...." There was a silence. Harry and Ann leaned still closer to the door, desperate to hear more.
"Well, Arthur, you must do what you think is right. But you're forgetting Albus Dumbledore. I don't think anything could hurt Harry at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's headmaster. I suppose he knows about all this?"
"Of course he knows. We had to ask him if he minds the Azkaban guards stationing themselves around the entrances to the school grounds. He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed."
"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"
"Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards," said Mr. Weasley heavily. "Nor am I, if it comes to that... but when you're dealing with a wizard like Black, you sometimes have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid. If they save Harry then I will never say another word against them," said Mr. Weasley wearily. "It's late, Molly, we'd better go up...." Ann heard chairs move. As quietly as they could, they hurried down the passage to the bar and out of sight. The parlor door opened, and a few seconds later footsteps told them that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were climbing the stairs. The bottle of rat tonic was lying under the table they had sat at earlier. As Harry grabbed the rat tonic Ann began talking.
"Harry, I know you're wondering what Black did, and well, he..he-"
"Ann your one of my best friends, I'm not going to hate you because of your dad," Harry said, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to look into his green eyes.
"My dad, Sirius Black, is….he's the reason…", Ann tried
"He's the reason that?" Harry asked
"He's the reason you're an orphan Harry!" Ann shouted, moving away from Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked letting of her shoulders
"I mean he gave away your parents location to Voldermort," Ann whispered
"What?" Harry asked confused
"I get it if you hate me," Ann said looking away, tears trickling down her cheeks.
"I don't hate you Ann," said Harry pulling her into a hug
"Y-you don't?" Ann asked wiping away her tears and pulling away from Harry
"I could never hate you, Ann," said Harry, looking into her light blue eyes.
"We should head back," said Ann, smiling, relieved.
"We should," Harry agreed. They then headed back upstairs, Ron's rat tonic bottle in Harry's hand. Fred and George were crouching in the shadows on the landing, heaving with laughter as they listened to Percy dismantling his and Ron's room in search of his badge. "We've got it," Fred whispered to Harry and Ann. "We've been improving it." The badge now read Big Head Boy. Harry and Ann both forced a laugh, Harry then went to give Ron the rat tonic, then shut himself in his room and lay down on his bed. Ann did the same.