Blood Traitor

1.

Scorpius was right and Mattheo did indeed stop violating Ana's privacy after a few days but she can't help but still feel like she's being watched. Like a big dark cloud is following her through the halls of Hogwarts, her own fear perhaps. Patty's stalking behavior has helped because she seems to be reunited with Mattheo maybe that's why he finally leaves Ana alone. The bullying has gotten worse though, maybe Patty is the dark cloud she feels in her presence. Patty has an aura that can be felt a few hallways further. There's a lot of gossip going around about her, that she's obsessed with her mother's past and her connections to Voldemort. Her mother Pansy Parkinson saw up close how Voldemort rose again and recruited followers including Draco Malfoy her then boyfriend. According to Lily and Scorpius the reason Patty is so attached to Mattheo is that she hopes that he can make her dark fantasy come true. A sick fantasy, a fantasy that will never come true because Voldemort has been defeated and many of his followers have passed away with him.

Her own followers Crabbe and Goyle don't seem to understand much about life and follow her every step whatever that step may be. Sometimes when Patty is not around Crabbe and Goyle are even nice to Ana and her friends until Patty comes and points out that they are enemies of Ana and her friends.

Lily has meanwhile started a relationship with a fifth year Ravenclaw boy to the annoyance of Albus who can't stand the fellow Quiditch player because of their matches in the air. Scorpius has become particularly close to Rose Weasley, the daughter of Hermion and Ron Weasley to the annoyance of Ron who seems to accept it somewhat thanks to Hermione. Albus and Ana spend their time together as their friends spend time with their partner and he has been great company so far and is full of humor. Sometimes he plays pranks taught to him by his uncle George, his uncle George was a twin with Fred Weasley who sadly died before they were born in the battle for Hogwarts. George is said to never be the same again but sees Fred in Albus who also doesn't like rules and does exactly what his parents don't want him to do.

"Sorry Ana, I would have liked to stay longer in the library with you but I have Quiditch training, you know how Wood is when I'm late." Ana's eyes drift to the parchment in front of Albus on the table that is decorated with drawings instead of the report he was supposed to write. "I almost believe you that you actually care that you have to go." A smile appears on Albus's face as he can't wait to pack his bag to leave. "I'll see you later Ana." He walks out of the library with a quick step and Ana can't help but grin.

"Quiet Ana has a boyfriend, how cute." Ana doesn't have to look behind her to know who's standing there. Her tormentor Patty and her groupies giggling at her comment. "He's not my boyfriend." Patty moves to the other side of the table and brings herself to eye level with Ana who avoids her gaze. "Of course not, who would want you." Her laughter is abruptly interrupted and Patty flies up, straightening her blouse and back.

"What are you doing?"

A male voice sounds from behind Ana, not a deep voice but clearly belonging to a man. "Nothing, I asked her for help with my homework." There is a scoff and shuffling but Ana refuses to comply and tries to make herself invisible by not moving. "Is that right Goyle?" Patty's eyes widen for Ana's face in the hope of giving a hint to Goyle who clearly doesn't get it. "No, Silent Ana has a boyfriend." Goyle and Crabbe laugh to the annoyance of Patty who's clearly having a serious word with the two girls when this is over. "Is that so Ana?"

-SHIT- Ana is clearly not invisible and now the subject of the conversation. "uhh...uhh.. no, we were just friends." A coldness takes over her body as if the dark cloud that was following her has turned into a hurricane that is now moving directly above her head. The boy whose voice was audible steps into her view and grins at Ana who is clearly uncomfortable. "So Patty is a liar?" Patty's eyes now turn to Ana who is shifting nervously and is starting to sweat despite the cold the boy brings with him. "No she....uhm...just asked and I said no." Patty nods in agreement and looks at the boy who towers over her. "Come on Mattheo, quiet Ana needs to study." The grin on Patty's face is comparable to that of a joker.

Patty followed by her two friends make their way to the exit of the library, Ana focuses back on the parchment in front of her on the table but Mattheo does not follow and remains standing. Ana tries again the tactic that did not seem to work before and pretends not to notice that Mattheo is still standing in front of her. "It was refreshing." Pretending not to see Mattheo is no longer an option and she carefully looks up at the boy who grins, dimples are forming in the cheeks of the normally angry boy. The dimples in his cheeks and sparkling brown eyes almost make you forget how scary he normally looks. Ana's cheeks feel warm as she hopes to be put out of her misery soon or in other words to be left alone. "Are you not going to ask me what was refreshing." Without thinking Ana nods no..

The dimples in his cheeks disappear and the sparkle in his eyes turns into a dull glow as if Ana has ruined his mood with a simple -no-. He nods his head slowly up and down "I meant your thoughts." He turns and shuffles slowly towards the exit to follow his girlfriend who looks in through the doorway. Ana follows the boy with her eyes that make eye contact with his once more before he disappears from her sight. A deep breath fills her lungs now that she is finally alone again. And the hurricane that hung above her head has been exchanged for the thundercloud again. Why the boy has so much influence on her is not inexplicable, he simply has an image here at school.

For a split second he even seemed..... nice? friendly? Something that is probably just a facade he is and remains Mattheo Riddle. "Miss. Longbottom , it is time to leave the library." A sweet face smiles at her. "Ofcourse Miss. Mcgonagall." Ana gathers her things and shoves them in her book bag while Mcgonagall looks on and continues to smile kindly. Followed by the teacher Ana makes her way to the door "You are the third generation that I have experienced at this school and it is always a pleasure to receive you." Ana smiles at the teacher who feels like a mother to every student at this school. "Can I ask you something?" The teacher stops "Go ahead Miss. Longbottom." Ana looks around at the empty hallways lit by the candles that burn on the wall in their bronze candelabra. "Mattheo Riddle..... Is he..." The teacher narrows her eyes and looks at Ana who regrets her question. "Continue..." The teacher's curiosity seems to have been piqued. "Special? He's extremely good at Legilimency."

"mmmhm." The teacher nods her head and takes a breath. "You've experienced his powers too, it sounds like! He is indeed somewhat special, if you want to call it that. Being the son of a powerful wizard has its advantages and disadvantages, his father...... He Who Must Not Be Named.... was also extremely good at Legilimency but used it for the wrong purpose. I have advised Mr. Riddle several times not to use these special powers to his advantage, but boys will be boys. And Mrs. Longbottom, you are absolutely capable of being special and protecting yourself with Occlumency" The teacher in the green robe and black pointed cap moves back into the library, without any effort she walks to a shelf and grabs a thick book with a beautiful red cover from the shelf.

"Here, Page forty-six." The teacher smiles kindly. "Hurry up, off to the Hufflepuff common room, before you get into trouble you're already late." The teacher looks at Ana as she stares at the book in her hands, Occlumency,......

Ana continues her way past the Hogwarts kitchens where the elves are already busy preparing for breakfast tomorrow morning. With her wand she taps the correct barrel and gives herself access to the Hufflepuff common room.

Where she sits down in her favorite chair and with a twist of her wrist lights the fire with her wand. With her knees drawn up and the big red book on top of them she quickly turns to page forty-six.

Occlumency

This is going to be a long night because her interest is piqued.