Anna Black, The Girl Who Lived (Book 6)

11: Young Tom

The rest of the Hogsmeade trip was quite uneventful, and it was early in the evening by the time the four Gryffindors got back. Anna still felt butterflies from her "date" with Caspar, whom she was undoubtedly falling for.

Speak of the devil, she would've stayed with him if it weren't for the mandatory meeting with Dumbledore she had to attend with Harry.

She still despised of the headmaster for more reasons than one, but the fact that the mentor was finally stepping up in the two's mission was a bit relieving. Yes, Anna knew Dumbledore was working behind the scenes, but it upset her that he wasn't there for Harry when he needed him most.

Not only that, but the headmaster let multiple evil people under the radar, which resulted in death of the good.

Regardless, she made herself comply with Dumbledore for Harry's sake.

It wasn't far from the time of the meeting when the quartet sat together in the Common Room, all huddled near the fire except for Anna, who was facing away from it and sat across from them. She still couldn't bear to look at that hearth and probably would never be able to as long as Sirius was gone.

"We heard Dean talking about you...did something happen?" asked Hermione carefully.

Anna fiddled a bit with her necklace and shrugged. "Not really, he just tried getting into business that wasn't his to know. And besides, I had to meet up with Jack anyway."

"So how'd you end up with Caspar?" Ron questioned as he opened a box of fudge flies.

Harry's attention sparked at the mention of the blue-eyed boy's name and he stared intently at Anna, waiting for an answer. She looked down and smiled, the warm glow of the firelight bringing out the blush on her cheeks. "I'm not sure...it just kinda happened. I mean, I'm not complaining, really, but it was just random. Jack's idiocy was too much and Caspar must've noticed, so he came up with an excuse to take me to the Three Broomsticks."

"So Mundy's idiocy was tolerable?" muttered Harry.

"He's no idiot, he's a Ravenclaw-"

"Luna's a Ravenclaw and she isn't the brightest," said the ginger, causing Hermione to snicker.

Anna glared at them, her irises turning red. "Luna's great, and if you say anything against her again I swear to Merlin I'll take your wands and shove them up your-"

"I don't trust Mundy," Harry cut in. "His mother's a Nott...doesn't that bother you?!"

"Screw off, I'm a Black. That's about ten times worse, right? I'm related to fucking Bellatrix! She's one of the worst death eaters!" exclaimed Anna.

Hermione sighed and looked at Harry. "She's right...you can't judge someone from where they come from. That's like saying Sirius-" She cut herself off, eyeing Anna, whose jaw was clenched and eyes were locked onto the floor. With a nod from her, she continued, "It's like saying Sirius was a pureblood supremacist."

"I agree. Mate, just because someone has ties doesn't mean they're using them," said Ron with a shrug. The clock chimed. "Shouldn't you be heading to Dumbledore's?"

"Unfortunately," murmured Anna, getting up a with a groan. Harry followed suit and they bid Ron and Hermione goodbye before heading to the headmaster's office.

They walked in a tense silence for most of the way. They didn't dare look at or argue with each other, and it drove them both mad.

It wasn't until they stood outside of the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office that they spoke. Harry said the password - which was "acid pops" - and they went onto the moving staircase.