Chapter 29

Anastasia hadn't seen Harry since the dinner party. She was growing more and more frustrated at the idea that he was ignoring her. She had done her part and helped him with Slughorn, but he still hadn't got her any closer to going back home. She didn't want to admit it but she was also starting to feel a little rejected and she despised it. As she sat with Daphne in the library she saw Hermione walk in with Ron, they both looked tired. Anastasia got up and ran over to them, taking them both by surprise.

"Have you guys seen Harry?" Anastasia asked forcefully. Ron turned to look at Hermione.

"Yes we have, why?" Hermione stated back, clutching her books tightly. Anastasia took a breath.

"Sorry, it's just he's supposed to be helping me with something and I haven't seen him. Where is he?" Hermione looked at her questioningly.

"He's just a bit tired, he's got a lot going on at the moment." Ron mumbled. Anastasia nodded, now realising the meeting with Slughorn had clearly not gone very well.

"Right, well I need to see him so-" Just as Anastasia felt her tone becoming more aggressive she saw Harry walking towards them. He looked up and their eyes met. Harry's skin turned pale as he froze on the spot. Anastasia went to move past Hermione and Ron only for Harry to quickly turn and start walking away.

"Harry!" Anastasia shouted starting to run. Harry began walking faster, but Anastasia caught up and grabbed his arm forcing him to a halt.

"Harry what on earth is going on?" Anastasia shouted at him, pulling on his arm to make him face her.

"I don't have time to talk-"

"What happened with Slughorn?" Anastasia asked sternly, making Harry throw his hand over her mouth.

"Keep your voice down! Jesus Anastasia." He whispered. She quickly grabbed his hand and removed it from her lips.

"What happened? Why are you avoiding me? It doesn't seem very fair considering I've helped you a whole lot more than you've-"

"Ok, ok." Harry nodded, still looking around nervously. Anastasia shook her shoulders slightly, trying to relax herself. "Look, it's not just about the meeting with Slughorn." Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her out into the courtyard, dragging her to a corner where they could be more private. "I saw your aunt." Anastasia stiffened.

"Harry what on earth-"

"I saw a memory, and your aunt was in it." Anastasia stared straight at him, terrified of what he would say next. "It's just strange, that's all."

"Who's memory did you see Harry?"

"Slughorn's. I saw his memory of one of his dinner parties, and your aunt was there."

"Ok, well that's not that strange I'm told she was a great witch." Anastasia put on her fake smile, trying to act as calm as possible.

"No, of course, it's just strange that you turn up suddenly out of nowhere at the same time that I..." Harry looked down for a moment. "It's just all rather odd that's all."

"So you're no longer going to trust me because you saw my dead aunt attending a dinner party?" Anastasia quipped back at him, her cheeks growing pink with annoyance. Harry shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"You're right, it's stupid I'm just... I'm just tired Anastasia, I'm sorry. Stress is making me..." Harry looked down at his shuffling feet, and Anastasia felt a sudden surge of fear. She couldn't have Harry looking into her past. She instinctively took his hands into hers, and tried to embody the things she had learned from Tom.

"Harry, you clearly don't fully trust me and I completely understand that, you hardly know me, but I like you. I'll help you Harry, if you let me. We can be there for each other." Harry looked at her, and felt that same sensation of electricity that he still could not understand. Anastasia tried to smile, hoping her words seemed somewhat sincere. She felt Harry squeeze her fingers back in response.

"I'm sorry for bringing up your aunt, I can tell you don't like talking about it. I'm not surprised." Anastasia nodded hesitantly. This was her opportunity to drop the subject, to make sure he didn't speak to her about her old self again, but a part of her feared how interested he was becoming about her "aunt".

"You can ask me about her if you like." Anastasia offered, thinking it better she appeared transparent. "I'm not sure what information I can give that will help though. I never met her."

"Do you have any suspicions about what happened to her?" Harry's question took Anastasia by surprise, she thought he would surely just drop the matter.

"I mean there are rumours of course." Anastasia mumbled. "You know, that she ran away with someone or-"

"Elius Lestrange?" Harry interrupted. Anastasia went rigid as she felt the blood freeze in her veins. How on earth did Harry know about Elius? Her hands fell from Harry's grip as she stared at him in amazement. Harry looked concerned and raised his eyebrow. "Sorry, I didn't mean to overstep? It's just that a lot of people thought they had eloped or something, considering he went missing on the same day?" Anastasia felt dizzy, she couldn't talk. How had she not found out that Elius also had gone missing. What did he have to do with any of this? She looked back up at Harry, but through blurred eyes only saw his outline. Tom's outline. The dark hair and pale skin sending a shiver down her spine.

"Anastasia?" She felt Harry grip her arm as if she was about to fall over. She battered her eyelids desperately trying to get her vision back.