Anna Black, The Girl Who Lived (Book 6)

30: Valentine's Day

Harry sat on the couch in the Gryffindor Common room, boredly flipping through one of his potions books. He couldn't concentrate on anything, but he still felt determined to get some work done. It was the weekend, but NEWT classes were kicking his arse.

It was Valentine's Day and love was in the air. He was the only one of the quartet who was in the Gryffindor Tower. Ron and Hermione went to Hogsmeade and he assumed Anna was as well with some boy.

For some reason, he was okay with that.

All he wanted was for Anna to be happy. He didn't expect her to run back to him after Caspar's disappearance. Every time the dynamic duo had dated, it didn't work out. And, to Harry, he was content with friendship.

That didn't mean he lost feelings for her, but he knew how to control them. He saw her as much more than just a love interest and it took him a long time to realize that.

She was not just beautiful, but strong, determined, and inherently smart.

But Harry was wrong about Anna's whereabouts. She was in the Owelry, writing a letter to her father.

The girl, although never speaking of her father's death anymore, found solace in going to the Owlery. She was always greeted by her father's black owl, its brooding orange eyes studying her. 

It became a habit for her to write letters to her father and give them to the owl. The owl would always return with empty talons. Anna tried to hold onto the hope that he was out there, somewhere, despite everyone believing he was dead.

She had no clue whether the owl somehow was delivering the letters, or if it just dropped them randomly. Regardless, she continued to "send" them. This one was specifically about Valentine's Day.

Dear Padfoot,

Hey, Dad, I hope you're alive and well. Happy Valentine's Day! You have always been my biggest supporter and the person I hold the closest in my heart. 

I know Mom is gone, and I'm sorry if you're alone. If it makes you feel any better, Caspar is gone too. 

Siriusly, he just vanished. I hope he's okay. Reeve is gone as well. 

But, on the bright side, I'm going to try to spend the day with Harry. He wrote me a very kind letter. I'll be honest, it was pretty sappy, you definitely would've joked with him about it. I loved it, though, and I didn't realize how much I missed him until I read it.

I'm not sure if him and I will be together in a romantic way, but at the end of the day, him and I have and love each other.

I'll just see where things go. I think you'd tell me to do the same. 

That's all, though. Sorry this letter is short, I'll continue to write.

I really hope you're receiving these, and that someday you'll surprise me with a big hug and we can catch up in-person...I really miss you, Dad. 

Love,

A

She smiled upon tying the letter to the owl's leg. It had been much more compliant, not even biting, squawking, or fidgeting anymore as she interacted with it. She gave it a nudge, saying, "Go, get it to him! And, if you somehow learn to speak, tell him I love him!"

The owl squawked and took off, flying away. Anna gave a small chuckle at the owl's eagerness..she sure hoped it wasn't for nothing.

Anna started heading back to the castle, knowing exactly what her plans for the rest of the day were.