Snowflakes danced outside the windows, tapping gently against the frosted panes. Inside the small cottage, Anne was focused on the cauldron in front of her. The potion inside bubbled and churned, clear as water. She carefully stirred it nine times with a glass rod before turning to grab a large conical flask.
Gently, she poured the Shrinking Solution into the flask, corked it, and removed her safety goggles with a sigh of relief. Just then, a knock came at the door. She tapped it with her wand and said, "Come in."
Ron and Harry stepped in, both covered in snow. Anne glanced past them, Hermione wasn't with them.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," Ron said, rubbing his hands for warmth.
"Oh? Alright," Anne replied, flicking her wand. Two steaming mugs of tea floated toward Ron and Harry.
They brushed snow off their cloaks while Anne kept a careful distance, standing near a pot of Crimsonflame Grass. "So? What is it?" she asked, arms crossed.
Harry nudged Ron with his elbow.
Ron flushed red. "I–I wanted to ask… has Fanny been invited to the Christmas party yet?"
Called it, Anne thought. Fanny was right again.
"I don't think so," Anne said, still with her arms crossed.
Ron visibly brightened. "Then, uh, do you know what kind of things Fanny likes?"
"I'll be direct, Ron." Anne lowered her arms and looked at him seriously. "The two of you are better off as friends."
Ron's face lost all color.
"It's not that I'm trying to shut you down," Anne added. "But Fanny specifically told me not to tell you anything. Besides, if you want to know what she likes, you're better off finding out yourself."
Ron looked disappointed and awkwardly gulped down his tea. He turned to reach for the door, but Harry tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Did you forget what Hermione told you?"
Anne figured they were leaving and turned back to her work, until Ron spoke again, this time with a quiet but unwavering seriousness.
"I really like Fanny," he said. "And not like how other people do. It's not about how she looks or her family name. I just… like her. No matter what happens, I want to give it a try."
Anne raised her eyebrows and turned back to face him, mildly surprised. "Even if she stops talking to you? Even if you can't even stay friends? Isn't it better to leave things unspoken?"
"That wouldn't change how I feel," Ron said firmly. "Even if she rejects me, I'll still like her."
Anne frowned slightly, tilting her head. "Alright, then. I'll give you a piece of advice, 'Sincerity can move mountains.' And you might want to ask Hermione for help with this. Fanny said herself that Hermione has more emotional intelligence than I do."
"Okay, thanks," Ron muttered.
"And shut the door behind you," Anne called as they left.
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Christmas arrived in a blink.
Hagrid had already brought in the traditional twelve towering Christmas trees for the Great Hall. Holly and golden streamers adorned the banisters, while glowing candles flickered from inside the knights' helmets along the corridors. Clusters of mistletoe hung everywhere, so much so that when Anne and Fanny walked the halls, groups of girls would gather beneath them, causing small traffic jams.
Anne told Fanny about Ron's visit.
Fanny frowned, then nodded slowly. "He really said that?"
"Yup," Anne confirmed. "I didn't add anything. Just relaying what he told me."
"I see," Fanny said. "Well, I was just about to accept Robert Hilliard's confession. Seventh-year Ravenclaw. I think he's going to ask me this afternoon."
After Herbology that morning, Anne and Fanny were walking back to the castle when they ran into the fifth-year Ravenclaw students heading to class.
Luna skipped up to them, beaming. "Good afternoon, Anne, Fanny!"
"Afternoon, Luna," they both replied.
"The Christmas party is tonight! Will I see you two there?" Luna asked cheerfully.
"Slughorn's party?" Anne asked.
"Seems like it," Luna said, waving goodbye as she skipped toward the greenhouse.
"You didn't know?" Fanny said, raising an eyebrow. "Anne, the whole school knows. Harry invited Luna. Peeves has been shouting all over the castle, 'Potty loves the Loony! Took her to the party, what a cutie!'"
Anne shrugged. "I've been swamped. Still got a ton to wrap up before the break. After the party, I'm flying to India and China for the entire holiday."
"Huh. But isn't it strange? I thought Harry liked Ginny," Fanny said.
"…What?" Anne froze. "How do you know that?"
"I've seen the way he looks at her, caught him staring loads of times," Fanny said matter-of-factly. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't notice."
Anne muttered under her breath and started walking again.
"You can't argue with me on this one," Fanny teased. "Unlike your sharp logic, this kind of thing takes intuition."
Anne puffed her cheeks in protest.
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At 7 p.m., Anne and Fanny arrived outside Slughorn's office. Robert Hilliard was already waiting, tall, handsome, and dressed in a perfectly tailored tux.
Anne gave Fanny a thumbs-up and stepped aside to wait for Hermione.
Hermione arrived at 7:10. Her usually untamed hair was elegantly pinned into a bun, revealing a pale, slender neck. She wore a soft, sky-blue gown, draped in a snowy white rabbit-fur cape. She looked completely different from the Hermione of their fourth year, radiating a calm, graceful allure.
Anne licked her lips unconsciously.
When Hermione reached her, Anne couldn't help swallowing hard. "That color suits you. And the cape is beautiful, you look amazing," she said, brushing her fingers over the fur. "Keeps you warm too."
"Thanks," Hermione said with a smile, looping her arm through Anne's. "It's warm thanks to your gift."
Alone in the corridor lit by torches and floating candles, Anne glanced around to make sure they were alone, then kissed Hermione without hesitation. Hermione responded just as eagerly.
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At 7:20, they finally entered Slughorn's office, which had been magically expanded. The ceiling and walls were draped with deep green, red, and gold curtains, giving it the feel of a grand tent.
The room was warm and crowded, bathed in red light from a massive golden chandelier where tiny fairies flitted like stars. Music echoed from a far corner, the sound of mandolins filling the air. Old wizards smoked and chatted under a haze of pipe smoke. House-elves darted between legs with huge silver trays, their bodies almost completely hidden, like little roaming tables.
They had barely stepped inside when Slughorn, who was introducing Harry, bellowed across the room, "Anne? Granger! Come here! I've got people you simply must meet!"
Anne and Hermione exchanged glances and headed over.
Slughorn, wearing a velvet hat with tassels that matched his smoking jacket, stood proudly in the center of the room. Harry and Luna were beside him.
"Oh, perhaps you don't know," Slughorn said brightly to the group around him. "This is Anne Roland Reeve, heir to the ancient Roland family, Slytherin House, of course."
"The Roland family? The one that left the hidden line of the Roland clan?" a bespectacled man exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "Why, I once met your Aunt Diana."
Slughorn clapped Anne on the shoulder. "This is Eldred Worple, one of my former students. Author of Blood Brothers: My Life Among Vampires. And this," he added, gesturing to the tall figure nearby, "is his friend, Sanguini."
Anne shook Worple's hand quickly and politely, then glanced with curiosity toward the vampire. Sanguini was tall, thin, with deep eye circles and an expression of utter boredom. A group of girls huddled around him, whispering excitedly.
Once Hermione had been introduced as well, Anne tugged her away with the excuse of being hungry. Harry and Luna followed not long after.
The four of them gathered in front of a towering five-tiered cake made of fruit, nuts, and cream. Anne stood, knife in hand, frowning at the layers.
"Why can't kiwi and raisins be on the same layer?" she grumbled, finally slicing into the second tier for a piece stacked with kiwi.
Hermione took the knife, sliced into the third tier rich with raisins, and handed Anne a plate. "Here, I'll carry this one for you."
Anne chuckled sheepishly.
Just then, Professor Trelawney stumbled over with a goblet of mead, clearly tipsy.
"Hello," Luna greeted her politely.
"Good evening, dear," Trelawney slurred, the scent of sherry thick around her. "I haven't seen you in class…"
"I switched to Firenze's lessons this year," Luna replied.
"Ah, of course," Trelawney said bitterly. "I prefer to call him 'the nag.' You'd think with my return, Dumbledore would remove that horse… but no! We still have to split classes. It's an insult, really…"
Anne had just finished two slices of cake and was about to pull Hermione away when Trelawney grabbed her wrist.
"Amber eyes… so rare…" she whispered hoarsely. "You're from that family, aren't you? You don't like Divination, do you? Long ago, two Ravenclaw girls with amber eyes didn't either…"
Anne rubbed her nose, clearly uncomfortable. "Professor, you're drunk."
Trelawney released her hand and took a large swig of mead. "I'm not drunk! I still recognize him!"
She pointed dramatically at Harry. "Harry Potter!"
"Uh, hi!" Harry replied awkwardly.
Trelawney leaned in closer. "All those rumors… and events… The Chosen Star… I saw it all in the omens, Harry… So why did you drop Divination? It's especially important for someone like you!"
"Ah, Sybill, we all think our own subjects are vital!" boomed Slughorn, appearing beside her, face flushed and hat askew. He raised a mince pie in one hand, mead in the other. "But I've never seen such talent in Potions!"
He turned his bloodshot eyes fondly on Harry. "Natural ability, just like your mother! Only a few students ever reached your level, Harry, even Severus, "
Slughorn suddenly yanked Snape into the group like a fisherman reeling in a catch.
Trapped, Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry, his hooked nose pointing like a weapon.
"Funny," Snape said coolly. "I never thought I taught Potter anything."
"That's genius for you!" Slughorn boomed. "You should've seen the Draught of Living Death he brewed, best I've seen from a student first try! Not even you, Severus, "
Anne felt Hermione stiffen. She wasn't happy about Harry using the Half-Blood Prince's notes to win that luck potion.
Anne squeezed Hermione's hand and whispered, "I know. I know everything."
Snape's eyes bored into Harry. "Is that so?"
Harry looked uneasy.
"What other subjects are you taking, Harry?" Slughorn asked quickly.
"Defense, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, "
"A perfect Auror's curriculum," Snape said dryly, smirking faintly.
"You'll make a fine Auror!" Slughorn declared, then turned to Anne.
"And you, Anne? I imagine you'll be handling your family's Far East trade after graduation? What does the Roland family typically import and export?"
"Mostly Class B and C permitted trade items," Anne said plainly.
Slughorn chuckled and burped. "I'm sure even a few Class A restricted items might be accessible. I know, "
"Professor Slughorn, our family has never broken the law," Anne replied sternly.
"Oh! Of course, of course," Slughorn said quickly, patting her shoulder.
Just then, Filch appeared dragging Draco Malfoy by the ear.
"Professor Slughorn!" Filch wheezed, his jowls trembling with excitement. "Found this boy skulking upstairs. Did you invite him?"
Seizing the moment, Anne tugged Hermione out of the crowd.
"Phew…" Anne sighed with relief.
Hermione handed her a mug of milk tea, taken from a passing house-elf. Anne thanked her, and the elf scurried away.
"Anne, what Slughorn said earlier…" Hermione asked with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Hey, I never broke the law," Anne replied, sipping her tea. "But… I do believe, 'If it's not forbidden, it's allowed.'"
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By 11 p.m., Anne and Hermione slipped out early from Slughorn's office. In the second-floor corridor, Anne held Hermione tightly. Their cloaks matched, same cut, same style, and they looked especially perfect together.
"I'm heading home tomorrow," Anne said, pouting. "Flying to India after lunch. I won't get to see you all holiday."
"I'll answer every time you call," Hermione promised.
"I'm going to miss you every single day," Anne said.
"I'll miss you too."
"Well, it's late. Go on, get some sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Hermione said, kissing her softly on the lips.
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The complete release can be accessed through Patreon.com/Crimson_Lore