Belladonna

Another Year, Another Professor

Belladonna 18

Another Year, Another Professor

1 September 1993

ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN

That was the headline of the Daily Prophet at the end of July. Notorious mass murderer, Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban. It was all anyone could talk about, even the Muggles down Spinner's End. Though, of course, they didn't know who Black really was nor what he'd really done; they simply knew him as one of their own escaped convicts. Ana didn't really know much about him either, apart from what the Daily Prophet said.

Ana knew Sev had been a spy during the war, so she thought it likely that Sev had known Black since he was Who-Know-Who's second in command. But Sev refused to talk about him. And when Ana tried practicing her legilimency on him, he'd closed his mind so hard it felt like hitting a stone wall and left her with a headache. Ana had never seen him so angry before; it even frightened her a little. Black's continued evasion of the Aurors only left Sev in a fouler mood, and he refused to let Ana out of his sight. Which, unfortunately for Ana, meant she wasn't allowed to ride the Hogwarts Express with everyone else.

Ana was really quite lonely sitting at the Slytherin table by herself. Since she hadn't been allowed to travel to King's Cross alone, she'd been forced to stay at the castle early. Ana now sat in the Great Hall waiting for the rest of her classmates. A few of the Professors were around as well, but they were all at the head table and not talking to Ana.

At last there was a great clamor of voices echoing in the hall outside, and they all began trickling in. Ana craned her neck to look for the girls. She saw Sadie first; it was impossible to miss her. Sadie returned from her French Holiday looking a little more tan and hair a little more golden. Flora and Hestia were next. Hestia smiled when she saw Ana and hurried over. Flora had her nose stuck in the air and walked with the poise to befit a queen.

"Hey! Why weren't you on the train?" Sadie asked as she hugged Ana and took her seat next to her.

"We missed you," Hestia added.

"Well, they did at least," Flora quipped with a smile.

"I missed you too," Ana said, choosing to ignore Flora. "Sev is being a foul prick and wouldn't let me travel alone."

"What did you do?" Flora asked.

"I didn't do anything," Ana defended. "It's all Black's fault."

"Sirius Black?" Hestia asked.

"What's he got to do with it?" said Sadie.

"I'm not sure. But ever since his escape, Sev has been grumpier and moodier, and it's only gotten worse since we arrived at the castle and he spoke with Dumbledore."

"Potions ought to be a real blast this year then. Thanks for the heads up," Hestia said.

"Sure thing. So, how was your summer? You promised pictures, Sadie."

"I did, and I do."

Sadie pulled out an album of photos from France. Instead of showcasing the monuments and many historical sights, each picture contained Sadie with a different French boy. Sadie began explaining the story behind each meeting. It was while she was doing this that Ana caught sound of a familiar laugh. She looked up and spotted Fred laughing with his brother and Lee.