Belladonna

Under the Summer Sun

Here's a light and fluffy chapter for you!

Belladonna 44

Under the Summer Sun

June 1995

Ana, Harry, and Fred all agreed not to tell anyone about Ana's visions until after she sat her exams. She wanted to put them as far from her mind as possible, and Sev removing them from her memory helped a great deal. Professor Moody, however, didn't seem to forgive or forget Ana's finding of the body and wherever she went in the castle she had a hard time shaking his magical eye.

About a week or so after the incident, Harry pulled Ana aside to tell her about a dream he had involving Voldemort and Pettigrew. She encouraged and insisted that he go to Dumbledore with the news; she would have gone with him, but she was about to sit for her defense exam. Harry returned to her later that same day with startling news.

"Snape was a Death Eater!" he whispered harshly. "I know you're going to argue that you trust him, but I don't think you should."

"He was a spy, Harry."

"He was a Death Eater before he turned spy."

"I know, but..."

"Wait! You knew? You've always claimed he was just a spy."

"Of course I knew. We've been inside each other's minds; I found a memory of it and he told me about it. Look, he made a mistake when he was younger."

"Made a mistake?! You don't join the Death Eaters by a mistake, Ana!"

"Harry, I really don't have time to discuss this with you right now. I have to go take my defense practical. But...I trust Sev with my life, with your life even; you don't know him like I do. No one does."

"But what if he never really turned sides? What if it was all an act?"

"You're wrong, Harry. I'm sorry, but you are. Now, I have to go."

They didn't discuss the matter any further.

XXX

Ana sat for her exams one after the other. They had the written portion in the morning and the practical after lunch. Then at last, she walked out after her last exam breathing a great sigh of relief only to find Fred waiting in the Entrance Hall for her.

"Katie, can I have my girlfriend back now?" he asked.

"Ugh! Please, take her I beg of you. She's driving me crazy," Katie teased.

"Oh bugger off, Bell," Ana retorted before leaning in to kiss Fred.

"Aaannnd I've lost my brother again."

"Bugger off, George," Fred said grinning. "Let's go for a walk."

"Don't you have another exam to study for?" Ana asked.

He frowned and shook his head. "And I thought you knew me."

Ana rolled her eyes. "Let's go you dolt."

She took his hand as they walked out onto the sunlit grounds. They sat by the lake kissing and making plans to see each other over the summer holiday.

XXX

"Ana, are you almost done?" Fred asked.

"Nearly, I just have to bottle this last potion for Harry." Ana spooned a clear blue liquid into a small vial and corked it. Then she put it and four other vials in her pocket. "And done."