4
Anna had finally survived her first week of classes, thanks to Frank and Alice. Anna had decided that Slughorn's class, potions, was her favourite because of Slughorn's patience and his kindness. History of magic was her second favourite, as she sat beside Pandora and enjoyed learning the history. The one thing Anna hated so far was the amount of homework, as she was scared she would forget one of the assignments by their due date.
Lily noticed Anna as she walked alone towards the library.
"Sev, see the girl up ahead? That's Anna, she's a first-year but she's really sweet," Lily explained, "Let's walk with her, I want to check in and see how she's doing."
Severus hummed and slowly followed his fiery red-headed friend towards the younger Gryffindor. If Lily said she was kind, he had no choice but to believe her.
"Annie!" Lily called, gently tugging Severus in tow.
Anna looked back, a boy with a hooked nose and green and silver tie walked beside Lily.
"Oh, hi Lily!" Anna smiled brightly at the two second-years.
"How do you make sure you don't forget an assignment?" Anna asked as the trio walked to the library doors.
"I do it all the day it's assigned," Severus answered, holding the door for the girls.
"Thanks, Severus," Lily smiled before answering Anna's question, "I do it by the order it's due. So say that McGonagall assigned work due by next Wednesday and Slughorn assigned work for next Friday, then I would do McGonagall's first."
Anna nodded in understanding. Both ways sounded good. Maybe she could combine them in a way?
"Okay, thank you!" Anna waved and went to the table where Pandora and Evan studying. Lily and Severus kept walking and chatting.
"Hello! Can I join you two?" Anna asked, eyeing the seat beside Pandora.
The platinum blonde nodded, tapping the table beside her. Evan gave a nod of acknowledgement before going back to scribing. Anna sat down, deciding to work on McGonagall's work; it was easier and due sooner than any of the other professors' assignments.
The three first years sat, quietly working for half an hour before Regulus, Barty, and a girl with bistre skin and thick, twisted stands of ebony hair joined them.
"Hello," Barty greeted, taking a spot beside Evan.
"Hello," Anna greeted back, giving a small, awkward smile.
At least she wasn't the only non-Slytherin at the library table, with Pandora dawning the signature blue and silver tie of Ravenclaw. Pandora stared off as Dorcas sat on the opposite side of her, the blonde's normal soft, blue eyes going glossy and milky.
"Pans," Evan waved his hand in front of the girl's face. The group focused on the blonde, Dorcas and Anna sharing a confused look.
"She's a seer, she gets visions occasionally and they look like this," Barty explained.
Pandora looked around, noting how small the room seemed to be. Wait, it wasn't just a room; it was a full house. Pans looked at the fireplace, a small sofa and armchair resided in front of it and a window. On the other side, was a small kitchen and dining table. Pans heart fluttered hopefully; this wasn't a dark, horrid vision like the ones she'd seen before. The front door opened and Pandora turned around. An older version of Anna walked in with a baby boy on her hip. Pandora smiled softly.
No, this was a joyful vision. Like the one she had of her oldest brother, Rodolphus marrying Regulus' cousin, Bellatrix. Or of future pureblood parties with her friends, laughing and dancing into the late, late evening.
She watched as Anna sat the baby in a crib; how did she not notice the cribs before? Cribs? There was more than one baby. Just as Pandora turned to look for the second baby, an older Regulus walked in, carrying the second baby, a little girl with Anna's eyes. Wait, this meant Anna and Regulus would marry and have children one day. But why were they in a small cottage? Both came from considerably wealthy families and had more than enough residences to raise the children in, especially Regulus.
Pandora snapped back into the library, surrounded by her friends. Pandora looked at Regulus before looking at Anna, they were back to their correct age.
"What did you see, Pans?" Regulus asked.
Everyone hummed in agreement, wanting to know. Pandora shook her head.
"Nothing bad. It was quite a nice vision of two kids from the school enjoying life together. Even had twins," Pandora briefed before going back to her reading. She didn't feel like she could say anymore without accidentally telling who.
Anna stared at her page before looking at the others; they seemed unphased. She slowly went back to her homework, unable to focus entirely.
"Anna!" The table looked up. Anna smiled, seeing Frank and Alice waiting for her.
The table watched as she got up and gathered her things.
"Bye, everyone!" Anna smiled before rushing towards the older, pureblood Gryffindors.
Regulus scowled a little, watching the siblings joyously converse as they walked away. Pandora tilted her head as she looked at everyone. Dorcas went back to her homework; she, like the others, had gotten most done with their small study group.
"Were those your friends, Annie?" Alice asked.
"Sort of. Pandora and I sit together in history. I met most of them on the boat ride," Anna explained.
Frank hummed, a frown forming on his face. He had seen those children before, during parties. The one that had been across from Anna was Sirius' little brother. Another was the only child of an aspiring politician, who could care less about his son as long as his public image wasn't in harm's way. Pandora, his sister's friend, was a kind girl, especially for being a Lestrange. However, she was treated much like Sybill Trelawney was for her 'visions'.
Alice gave Frank a gentle rub on his shoulder before letting Anna pull her along. If his little sister was happy with the friend she made, then he would keep his opinions to himself. But he knew he wasn't in a place to be a hypocrite. Frank Longbottom had helped James Potter and Sirius Black with their studies often and had been at the same parties in the past. So had Alice.
Scattered clouds covered the stars that evening, partially covering the inky universe from view. The year's cycle looked out of the window beside her bed. Part of the twins' constellation was visible, twinkling brightly at the sleeping mortals of the Scottish Highlands and distant England below. Stars had always been a fascination for the year's cycle; the muggle stories and myths entwined into their cosmic image always captivated the young witch.