It was a perfect "three birds with one stone." Over the Christmas holidays, Anne managed to resolve the issue with Singh, won over the Indian division's middle management, and even successfully expanded the Chinese market. No surprise, she was in a triumphant and relaxed mood on her way back to the UK.
So relaxed, in fact, that she fell asleep as soon as she boarded the plane and slept soundly all the way to London Heathrow.
Upon arrival, bright-eyed and full of energy, she greeted Diana and Aaron with a big bear hug, instantly lifting their spirits as well. Aaron drove them home, where Obie had prepared a massive dinner spread.
Anne ate until she couldn't eat another bite.
In the backyard of Aaron's home, the summer evening breeze was cool and refreshing. It was the night before the new school term. Anne lay back on a deck chair, while Aaron and Diana sat nearby at a round wooden table sipping iced fruit juice.
They chatted about London's recent weather, and Anne laughed as she shared a few funny stories from school, like Fanny hopping from one boyfriend to another, and how, even as a prefect, she sometimes felt powerless when it came to dealing with mischievous first-years.
Aaron and Diana chimed in with their own school memories, reminiscing about their old teachers and pranks. The summer wind rustled softly through the yard. Occasionally, they took a sip of their icy drinks, listening as Aaron rambled on about his past escapades and unforgettable encounters with magical creatures.
Laughter floated gently through the small garden.
When the Christmas break ended, Anne returned to Hogwarts via the Floo Network, stepping out of the fireplace in the castle.
"Hail to the Serpent King," she muttered.
The entrance to the Slytherin common room swirled open, and Anne stepped inside. Malfoy was by the fireplace, giving Crabbe and Goyle some orders. When he spotted Anne entering, his eyes flickered, and he quickly ushered them into the dormitory.
Anne shrugged and made her way into her own room with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
During the lunch break, Anne finished eating and waited at the Entrance Hall for Hermione.
Hermione did arrive, but unfortunately, she brought two people Anne would rather not see.
Puffing her cheeks, Anne muttered in annoyance, "Why did those two come?"
"Come on now," Hermione said as she reached for Anne's hand, giving her cheek a playful squeeze. "We need to talk to you."
As Hermione led her down the corridor, Anne leaned in and whispered, "You could've come alone and just passed on their message, you know…"
"Oh? And give you the chance to mess around unchecked?" Hermione smirked.
"Hmph. So you're saying… after the whole Christmas break, you didn't miss me at all?" Anne pouted dramatically.
"I did miss you," Hermione said sincerely. "I missed you a lot, Anne. The entire holiday."
That was enough to put Anne in a much better mood.
She listened intently as Harry recounted his experience at Professor Slughorn's Christmas party, the suspicious conversation he overheard between Snape and Malfoy, and how Snape had apparently sworn an Unbreakable Vow to protect Malfoy at his mother's request. Harry also mentioned that the Minister of Magic had come to visit him at the Burrow during the holidays.
"He said I was 'completely Dumbledore's man,'" Harry concluded, not without pride. He liked the sound of that title, completely Dumbledore's man.
The four of them sat in a quiet corner of the courtyard. Harry had cast a Muffliato charm to block out eavesdroppers, which drew a mild frown from Hermione; it was, after all, a spell from the Half-Blood Prince's book.
"So, what do you think?" Anne asked.
"Malfoy definitely has a mission at Hogwarts. He's following Voldemort's orders. And Snape's on his side," Harry said firmly.
"Hmm…" Anne paused to think, glanced at Hermione, and said, "I think…"
"That he's just pretending to help, trying to get Malfoy to confide in him? Yeah, that's what everyone else says," Harry cut in, sounding skeptical. "Well, I'm not buying it. I don't trust Snape. Or Malfoy."
"Harry, based on what you've said, I don't deny Malfoy might be plotting something," Anne replied. "And you're free to hold your opinion. Maybe we're all wrong and you're the only one who's right."
"But Anne, there's no evidence," Hermione reminded gently.
"I didn't say I was certain," Anne said. "What's the deal with Scrimgeour?"
"He wants me to act as the Ministry's spokesperson," Harry said. "To use my 'Chosen One' reputation. But he's still keeping Umbridge around? No way I'm helping. He doesn't care about me, he just wants me to help make the Ministry look like it's winning against Voldemort."
Harry shook his head. "I haven't forgotten, last year, when I said Voldemort was back, not a single Ministry official stood by me."
"They treated you like dirt last year, and now they come crawling for help? What a nerve," Ron scoffed.
The next day, a big announcement was posted on the common room bulletin board for sixth-years.
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Apparition Lessons
Sixth-year Apparition training is beginning. Interested students should register with their House Prefect. Prefects must submit names to their Head of House by 8:00 PM on Wednesday.
Taught by certified Ministry of Magic instructors.
Duration: 12 weeks
Fee: 12 Galleons
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In the dormitory, Millis handed Anne twelve Galleons. "Anne, I want to sign up."
Anne, seated by the fireplace with a book in her lap, nodded. "Okay. Leave the money on my desk and sign your name on the list."
"Got it." Millis walked over to Anne's desk, signed her name, and then asked curiously, "Wait… your name's not on here. Aren't you signing up? I heard Apparition is supposed to be really fun."
"Anne already knows how to Apparate," Fanny chimed in from beside Anne.
"What? Really?" Millis bounced over excitedly. "Is it hard? Is it fun? My brothers won't tell me, they said I need to experience it myself. But they passed their tests on the first try!"
"It's okay," Anne said. "The first time can feel rough. I was made to learn as soon as I turned of age, my family insisted it's a survival skill. The trick is to remember the three Ds: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation."
At 7:30 that evening, Anne slipped through the corridors, carefully avoiding Filch and his cat, and made her way to Dumbledore's office.
The portraits of former headmasters snoozed quietly in their frames. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, writing. When Anne entered, he paused and looked up.
"Good evening, Anne. How was your Christmas?"
"Pretty good. Sorted out some tricky problems," she replied. "How about you?"
"Not bad," Dumbledore said. He gestured to something on an armchair nearby. "The items you asked me to have made, they're ready."
Anne's eyes lit up. "Perfect! Now I don't have to worry about Hermione or Harry figuring out who I really am during this period. And no more casting those annoying detection-shielding charms every time I come to see you. Don't want the Marauder's Map exposing me."
"Heh. That little map is quite the mischievous toy," Dumbledore chuckled.
Anne strode over to the armchair and picked up a gray cloak. It looked ordinary at first glance, but upon closer inspection, silver patterns shimmered faintly across its surface in precise, flowing lines.
She took off her current cloak and slipped into the new one, pulling the hood up. In the mirror, her face turned misty and indistinct, like it was hidden behind a fog.
Anne drew her wand and gave it a flick. A stream of water flowed from the tip, splashing onto the cloak. The water slid right off, leaving no trace.
"Your silent casting has improved," Dumbledore said approvingly.
Anne smiled faintly and picked up a small black box. Inside were two items: a silver, curved ear cuff shaped like the number nine, and a simple obsidian ring. Both were etched with intricate ancient runes.
"The goblins did a fantastic job, the craftsmanship matches my designs exactly," Anne said with satisfaction, clipping the earring to her left ear.
The moment it clicked into place, her face began to transform. Her forehead grew broader and higher, her nose widened, her jawline shifted. In the mirror stood a striking, Middle Eastern-looking man with sharp, defined features.
"Wow, impressive," Anne muttered, turning her head from side to side. She touched her throat, feeling the Adam's apple. "Very satisfied with this transformation. Worth every Galleon."
She slipped on the obsidian ring, fitting it onto her right index finger. Her skin rippled like disturbed water, becoming rougher, darker.
A faint silver light passed between the ring and earring. Anne's height increased by several inches.
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