Anna Potter and the Half-blood prince

Chapter 13

DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - NIGHT
[Dumbledore holds the vial in wonderment. The worm hangs in eerie suspension.]
Dumbledore: How is he? Horace?
Anna: Not good. Guilt is eating him. I had to add salt on his wounds to get this so it's better be worth it.
Lily looks sad.
[Dumbledore nods, then tips his hand. A long strand hangs suspended like glass. A pearl forms... and as it hangs... Anna's eyes shift, notice a drawing on Dumbledore's desk, one of Tom Riddle's drawings seen at the orphanage, of the cave and the distinct outcropping. Then... the pearl drops.]
FLASHBACK - SLUGHORN'S OFFICE - NIGHT (YEARS PAST)
[As before. The crackling embers of the fire. Slughorn, a circle of six. Riddle commanding the room.]
Tom Riddle: Sir, is it true that Professor Merrythought is retiring? [Slughorn chuckles, wags a sugar-encrusted finger at Riddle.]
Slughorn: Now, Tom, I couldn't tell you if I knew, could I? I must say, m'boy, I'd like to know where you get your information. More knowledgable than half the staff, you are. (as the other boys laugh) By the way, thank you for the pineapple -- you're quite right, it is my favorite -- how is it you knew?
Tom Riddle: Intuition.
Slughorn: (an uneasy chuckle) Good gracious, is it that time already? Off you go, boys, or Professor Dippett will have us all in detention. Lestrange, Avery,
don't forget your essays... [The others exit, when -- PING! -- Slughorn turns, eyes the hourglass, finds Tom Riddle still there.]
Slughorn: Look sharp, Tom. You don't want to be caught out of bed after hours...
Tom Riddle: I know a secret shortcut or two.
Slughorn: Yes, I imagine you do. Something on your mind, Tom?
Tom Riddle: Yes, sir. I couldn't think of
anyone else to go to. The other Professors, well, they're not like you. They might... misunderstand.
Slughorn: Go on.
Everyone sit up.
Tom Riddle: I was in the library the other night, in the Restricted section, and I read something rather odd, about a bit of rare magic and I thought perhaps you could illuminate me. It's called, as I understand it... a Horcrux.
[Slughorn's weak smile evaporates altogether.]
Lucius, Narcissa, Regulus, Evan and Sirius freeze and pale.
"What is it?" Asked Barty.
"Horrible, dark magic. So dark even dark wizards avoid it." Said Sirius.
"What do you mean?" Asked James. No one answered.
Slughorn: Excuse me?
Tom Riddle: Horcrux. I came across the term while reading and I didn't fully understand it.
Slughorn: I'm not sure what you were
reading, Tom, but that's very Dark stuff, very Dark indeed.
"It makes sense. That's how he survuved." Said Regulus.
Tom Riddle: Yes, sir. Which is why I came to you. I mean no disrespect to the rest of the staff, but I thought if anyone could tell me... it would be you. [Slughorn frowns, clearly disturbed, then speaks quietly.]
Slughorn: A Horcrux is an object in which a person has concealed part of their soul.
Tom Riddle: Yes, I thought it might be something like that. But I don't understand how that works, sir.
Slughorn: One splits one's soul and hides part of it in an object. By doing so, you are protected should you be attacked and your body destroyed.
"It splits your soul in half! It isn't worth it." Said Sirius.
Tom Riddle: Protected?
Slughorn: That part of your soul that was hidden, lives on. In other words, you cannot die. [Riddle nods and turns away, staring at himself in the mirror on the wall opposite. A hint of red glints in his eyes.]
Tom Riddle: How does one split his soul, sir?
Slughorn: I think you can guess the answer to that, Tom.
Tom Riddle: Murder.
Slughorn: Yes. Killing rips the soul apart. It is a violation against nature. After, one is never the same.
Tom Riddle: Out of curiosity, sir -- can you only split your soul once? For instance, isn't seven the most powerfully magical number --
"There has been no one who managed to split more than three times. He can't have seven." Said Regulus.
Slughorn: Seven! Merlin's beard, Tom! Isn't it bad enough to think of killing one person? To rip the soul into seven pieces... (stopping; worried) This is all hypothetical, isn't it, Tom? All academic...
Tom Riddle: Of course, sir. And I promise I'll not speak of our conversation. It'll be our little secret...
[Riddle reaches out then and pinches the flame of a candle, killing it. Smoke rises.]
"He must feel so guilty." Said Lily, looking at Slughorn with pity.
DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE - SAME TIME (PRESENT)
[... the surface of the Pensieve, where Riddle quivers. We rack focus and Dumbledore's troubled face bleeds
through Riddle's.]
Anna: Sir -- [Dumbledore holds up his withered hand, silencing her, turns away. Anna studies him, waiting, the hush palpable.]
Dumbledore: (haunted) This is beyond anything I imagined. In my life I have seen things that are unimaginably horrific. I know now... you will see worse. [Dumbledore looks off, his eyes distant. Anna watches him intently, as do the headmasters in their frames above. Finally, tentatively, Ann speaks.]
Anna: Do you mean to say he succeeded, sir? Making hoxruxes?
Dumbledore: Oh he succeeded. Think, Anna. He's just told us.
"We are fucked." Said Evan.
"No wonder he went mad." Whispered Narcissa.
Anna: Oh my merlin. Of course, he's like this, he split his soul in seven halves. In seven! Holy shit! [Anna sits down heavily and is covering her mouth in shock.]
"It's - it's impossible." Said paler than usual Lucius.
Dumbledore: They can be anything. The most commonplace of objects. A ring, for example. Or a book...
[Dumbledore slides open a drawer, removes the ring and Tom Riddle's battered diary.]
Anna: Tom Riddle's diary --
Dumbledore: It's a Horcrux, yes. Four years ago, when you saved Neville Longbottom's life in the Chamber of Secrets, when you brought me this -- (holding up the diary) I knew. This was a different kind of magic. Very dark. Very powerful. But until tonight, I had no idea just how powerful...
"You had hocrux in your house?!" Hissed Regulus.
"I doubt i knew it. I'm not an idiot. I wouldn't keep it in house, not when my child and wife live there and definetly not give it to Weaslette knowing what dark lord would do to me... or my family." Said Lucius. Narcissa, Lucius and Regulus share worried looks.
Anna: And the ring...?
Dumbledore: Belonged to Voldemort's mother. It was difficult to find and...
(raising his damaged hand)... even more difficult to destroy.
Anna: But if you could find them all. If you did destroy each Horcrux...
Dumbledore: One destroys Voldemort.
[Anna begins to reach out for the ring...]
Anna: But how would you find them? They could be hidden anywhere, couldn't they...
Dumbledore: True. But magic, especially Dark magic... [Just then, as the flash of Anna's fingers make contact with the ring, images flash by in dizzzing succession: Voldemort's face, twisted in pain. A derelict house, deep in a haunted clearing. An ancient cup, gleaming as it tumbles from an old woman's hand. A snake (Nagini) slithering through damp grass.]
"Is cup and snake other hocruxes?" Asked Barty.
"I think so." Said Regulus.
[Dumbledore slipping the ring onto her finger, recoiling as his skin decays...]
Dumbledore: ... leaves traces. [Anna's clenched hand spasms, releases. The ring skitters across Dumbledore's desk and Anna brings a hand to her chest, a look of bewilderment on her face. Dumbledore watches the ring spin down, then glances at Anna and slowly extends his own hand, lightly touching the center of Anna's chest with the tips of ashen fingers, as if reading braille, as if he can somehow "see" into Anna's heart. Trepidation -- and recognition
-- flicker over her face.]
Anna: It's where you've been going, isn't it, sir? When you leave the school.
[Anna's eyes drift once again to the postcard on the desk. Dumbledore withdraws his hand, nodding, still studying Anna oddly, his voice, when it comes, distant.]
Dumbledore: Yes. And I think... perhaps... I may have found another. But this time I cannot hope to destroy it alone.
"He better not be saying, what i think he is saying!" Said Lily.
"If you bring my goddaughter on Hocrux hunt, i'll kill you, you old coot!" Yelled Sirius.
[Anna peers into Dumbledore's eyes. Dumbledore nods.]
Dumbledore: Once again, I shall ask too much of you.
Everyone glares at him.
ASTRONOMY TOWER-LATE DAY
[Cassie turns around to see Anna walking toward her.]
Cassie: Why did you call me here?
Anna: I wanted to talk to you.
Cassie: Something happened.
Anna: Are you good at occulemency?
Cassie: How do you think i survived dark lord while being the-girl-who-lived's girlfriend?
Anna: Voldemort. He has hocruxes. [Cassie pales and surprise and fear washes over her face.]
Cassie: (scared) No.
Anna: I think he has seven of them.
Cassie: It's impossible. He can't-- seven-- the most people can't even make one.
Anna: He is powerful. We both know it. Dumbledore is taking me on Hocrux hunt.
Cassie: No! Absoultely not! You aren't going!
Anna: I am.
"I'm on Cassie's side on this one." Said Lily.
Cassie: You- you don't understand. It's too dangerous, Anna.
Anna: So is my whole life.
Cassie: (scared) Hocrux is different! It's a soul! The darkest magic! It's filthy! It's disgusting! It's terrifying!
Anna: I know.
Cassie: Dark lord wouldn't leave it without defence.
Anna: I'm going with Dumbledore.
Cassie: It's still--
Anna: I know. [Cassie sighs.]
Cassie: I can't change your mind, can i?
Anna: We all have things we have to do. [Cassie notices Anna's nervousness.]
Cassie: Did you know dark lod is queer?
"What?" Asked everyone.
Anna: Whaat?
Cassie: I secretly read my grandfather's hidden diaries. He has lot written about Tom. It was rivals to lovers story for them, but them my granfa was forced to marry my grandma by their parents and they broke up. Because of that my grandfather started resenting his family.
Everyone looks shocked.
"Did you know?" Asked Narcissa to Lucius.
"No. I haven't even seen the diary. Where did she find it?" Said Lucius.
"I-- I can't believe it." Said Regulus.
"Voldemort dated someone?" Said Sirius in disbelief.
"Someone dated Voldemort?" Said James.
"That's explains so much things." Said Barty.
"What do you mean?" Asked Evan to Barty.
"Lucius lost Voldemort's hocrux and failed two missions and he didn't kill Malfoys, he gave another chance. Yeah, the one that is aimed to get Cassie killed, but there is still a chance for her and not to mention, he promised Lucius's release as reward when he could just not waste time on that. When was dark lord ever that mercyful?" Said Barty.
Audrey: (shocked) Wait, wait, wait. Your gradfather fucked voldemort?
Cassie: From unneseccerily detailed diary, Tom was the one doing fucking.
"I didn't need to know that." Said Lucius, who looks like he's gonna throw up.
Anna: (laughs) Of course. You Malfoys always serve, don't you? [Cassie hits her arm.]
Everyone except Lucius laughs.
"I knew Cassie was bottom!" Exclaimed Barty.
Lucius looks at Narcissa betrayed.
"You, too?" Said Lucius.
"Well, she isn't wrong." Said amused Narcissa. Lucius glared.
Cassie: How dare you?!
Anna: (smirk) Now, now. Why don't you your role as Malfoy and serve?
Marauders look disgusted by flirting.
"I'll kill her!" Said angry Lucius and glared at Anna.
[Cassie pushes Anna.]
Cassie: Fuck you, Pottah. [Anna gets on top of Cassie.]
Anna: No, fuck you, Malfoy. [Anna kisses Cassie and they start making out. After few seconds, Anna pulls away.]
Anna: Not here. Someone might walk in.
Cassie: Then why don't we get out?
Anna: I can't. I have to go soon. [Cassie nods, then stands in front of Anna and reaches her hand out.]
Cassie: Wanna dance?
Anna: Now?
Cassie: (smile) Why not? You can sing. [Anna chuckles and takes her hand. They start waltzing. Anna sings her song "Born to die" (In reality, Lana Del Rey's)]
Anna: Feet don't fail me now
Take me to the finish line
Oh, my heart, it breaks every step that I take
But I'm hoping at the gates, they'll tell me that you're mine. [Cassie smiles at her.]
Anna: Walking through the Hogwarts halls, is it by mistake or design?
I feel so alone on a Friday night
Can you make it feel like home, if I tell you you're mine?
It's like I told you, honey
Don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh-let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime.
[Cassie twirls her.]
"They deserve much better." Said Evan sadly. Barty nodded.
Anna: Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane.
Choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I-we were born to die.
Parents take shaky breath knowing how true this words might be.
Anna: Lost, but now I am found
I can see that once I was blind
I was so confused as a little child
Tried to take what I could get, scared that I couldn't find
All the answers I need
Lily and James sight sadly for their daughter.
Anna: Don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh-let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
Choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I-we were born to die
We were born to die
We were born to die.
"Stop saying that!" Snapped Narcissa. People looked at her surprised, than with understanding.
Anna: Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
So don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh-let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime
Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
So choose your last words, this is the last time
'Cause you and I-we were born to die
We were born to die.
Cassie: We will survive. [Anma cups her face.]
Anna: I love you. I love so much. Never forget that okay? No matter what will happen. I will always love you.
Cassie: i love you more than there is stars in the sky, Deeper than oceans, i love you and I will love you always and forever. [They kiss, tears rolling down their faces.]
People look at two tragic lovers sadly.
GARGOYLE CORRIDOR - TWO DAYS LATER
[Anna and Ada are talking.]
Anna: I'll be back soon.
Ada: But you said it youself! It's dangerous.
Anna: I'll be with Dumbledore and as much of a manipulative old coot he is, he will do anything to win a war and he needs me to do so.
"She is just a girl." Said Lily.
[Rose comes up behind them.]
Rose: Anna. It's time.
Anna: I love you. You are like a little sister i never knew i needed.
Ada: (smile) I love you and you are like a sister to me, too. [They hug.]
COURTYARD - LATE DAY
[Anna and Rose walk.]
Rose: Good luck. [Anna turns back to Rose, who looks concerned.]
Anna: I love you. You are the best best friend, you know? I'm lucky i met you.
"Am i the only one who feels likes she is saying goodbyes?" Asked James.
"She is. She doesn't know what will happen and doesn't want to leave without goodbye." Said Remus.
Rose: (worried) Why does it sound like a goodbye?
Anna: It's not a goodbye. I'll survive. I always do.
Rose: You better! [They hug.]