Harry sat on the couch in the Gryffindor Common room, boredly flipping through one of his potions books. He couldn't concentrate on anything, but he still felt determined to get some work done. It was the weekend, but NEWT classes were kicking his arse.

It was Valentine's Day and love was in the air. He was the only one of the quartet who was in the Gryffindor Tower. Ron and Hermione went to Hogsmeade and he assumed Anna was as well with some boy.

For some reason, he was okay with that.

All he wanted was for Anna to be happy. He didn't expect her to run back to him after Caspar's disappearance. Every time the dynamic duo had dated, it didn't work out. And, to Harry, he was content with friendship.

That didn't mean he lost feelings for her, but he knew how to control them. He saw her as much more than just a love interest and it took him a long time to realize that.

She was not just beautiful, but strong, determined, and inherently smart.

But Harry was wrong about Anna's whereabouts. She was in the Owelry, writing a letter to her father.

The girl, although never speaking of her father's death anymore, found solace in going to the Owlery. She was always greeted by her father's black owl, its brooding orange eyes studying her. 

It became a habit for her to write letters to her father and give them to the owl. The owl would always return with empty talons. Anna tried to hold onto the hope that he was out there, somewhere, despite everyone believing he was dead.

She had no clue whether the owl somehow was delivering the letters, or if it just dropped them randomly. Regardless, she continued to "send" them. This one was specifically about Valentine's Day.

Dear Padfoot,

Hey, Dad, I hope you're alive and well. Happy Valentine's Day! You have always been my biggest supporter and the person I hold the closest in my heart. 

I know Mom is gone, and I'm sorry if you're alone. If it makes you feel any better, Caspar is gone too. 

Siriusly, he just vanished. I hope he's okay. Reeve is gone as well. 

But, on the bright side, I'm going to try to spend the day with Harry. He wrote me a very kind letter. I'll be honest, it was pretty sappy, you definitely would've joked with him about it. I loved it, though, and I didn't realize how much I missed him until I read it.

I'm not sure if him and I will be together in a romantic way, but at the end of the day, him and I have and love each other.

I'll just see where things go. I think you'd tell me to do the same. 

That's all, though. Sorry this letter is short, I'll continue to write.

I really hope you're receiving these, and that someday you'll surprise me with a big hug and we can catch up in-person...I really miss you, Dad. 

Love,

A

She smiled upon tying the letter to the owl's leg. It had been much more compliant, not even biting, squawking, or fidgeting anymore as she interacted with it. She gave it a nudge, saying, "Go, get it to him! And, if you somehow learn to speak, tell him I love him!"

The owl squawked and took off, flying away. Anna gave a small chuckle at the owl's eagerness..she sure hoped it wasn't for nothing.

Anna started heading back to the castle, knowing exactly what her plans for the rest of the day were.

She was new and improved. She gained a whole new perspective on life after being told of her impending doom...that her death would be a willing sacrifice to Voldemort.

She knew how she was going to die and that her best friend and first love would be by her side. Knowing this, she wanted to make the best of her last days, weeks, or months. Whatever it was, she wanted as few bad days as possible.

In the beginning of the year, she was on a path of self-destruction. She was depressed but determined to break out of that box. She tried forcing Harry into a relationship, and when that didn't work, she found her way to other guys. Snogging in broom closets was nothing new to her at that point. She even stooped as low as Cormac McLaggen.

Was he bloody hot? Yes...and that was his only quality.

Caspar came along, and he truly loved her. He treated her the way she deserved, through her good and bad. Anna reciprocated it, but, looking back, she knew her heart belonged to Harry.

Upon entering the Gryffindor Common Room, her heart fluttered as she saw him laying on the couch, his bright green eyes focused on his textbook.

"Hey Harry," she said with a grin. 

Their eyes met and he shared it, feeling the same warmth in his chest. "Oh, hey Anna. I didn't think you were still here."

He sat up and she took the new spot next to him. "Of course I'm still here. It's Valentine's Day, after all, and I'm just as single as you, buddy. Although...I did hear rumors of you and Romilda Vane possibly going on a date?"

Harry gave an awkward laugh, running his hands through his hair. "Erm, yeah...she was pushing me to go. Almost said yes out of boredom, I was able to escape her, though."

"She is pretty...why not try it?" asked Anna. As Harry started stuttering, she gave a laugh. "I'm just kidding. She's bloody annoying... and yes, pretty, but that's about it. So are you just staying in here all day?"

"That was the plan, I need to catch up on homework anyway," he said softly, opening his potions book again.

Anna took it from him and tossed it on the table. "Come on, you're not really gonna do that Potions essay today when you could be in Hogsmeade with me, right?"

"Oh, um, I figured you would be on a date or something?"

"No, definitely not. I'm done with pointless relationships," she said with a chuckle. "Look, why don't we just go together? We both don't have plans for the day and we're best friends. We haven't spent much time together, just the two of us."

Harry met her eyes and couldn't help but smile. "Okay, fine, but you better help me with this homework later."

"Well, come on then, let's go!" she said cheerily, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the Common Room. The carriages already left, but they took the secret passageway, ending up in Honeydukes.

The two went through all of the little town, just window-shopping and acting goofy. They finally felt like teenagers, not having the weight of the world on their shoulders. They had each other and it was the first time they had come to terms with the fact that was all they could control. Life in the limelight could be bearable, as long as they were side by side.

Anna held the boy's hand almost all day, except when trying on silly outfits or getting into mischief. Since they were young kids, their hands had a tendency of meeting, yet the two felt sparks every time. Every gaze, laugh, and touch was something they quietly longed for. 

As they wandered towards the edge of the town, they came across the Hog's Head. They were about to pass it until Harry said, "Merlin...I think I see Remus!"

"What?" she asked, looking through the window of the pub. Of course, the man sat inside, but someone familiar sat across from him. "He's with Kate!"

"Hey, Anna, hold on!" pleaded Harry, but she ran into the bar and up to her godparent's table.

As the two approached the adults, their eyes went wide. Anna glared, "Well hello, Remus. You didn't say you were in town."

Remus Lupin gave a nervous chuckle, taking a sip of his firewhiskey before answering. "It was a last minute plan, Anna. And besides, you never seem to want my company. I didn't want to bother you."

"Are you two dating?" asked the girl quickly, "because you two have seemed awful close since you've seen each other again and I think I have a right to know."

As the man shook his head, Kate spoke up, her voice low but strong. "Look, Anna, I appreciate you looking out for us but times are changing. Remus and I are adults. If we want to get a drink together unexplained, we can. We're the last two of our generation left anyway. To answer your question, this meet up alone is a date, but that does not mean we are dating."

Everyone stared at Kate, even Remus, who was in denial of this fact until that moment. His hazel eyes met Harry, who gave him a sympathetic yet understanding look. Anna, on the other hand, was seething. "And when were you going to tell me?"

"When do you plan to tell us about you and Harry, hmm?" she asked, continuing upon receiving silence from Anna, "You have your own concerns to attend to. But, to be fair, if this becomes anything more than a close friendship, you and Harry will be the first to know, we promise."

Remus interjected, "Speaking of you, Harry, we have been talking about you...and we have decided that we want to be your godparents too...only if you'll allow us, of course."

"Yes, we love you, Harry," continued Kate with a kind smile. "I know you don't know me that well but it has been a true pleasure being able to see you every day in my class. We know we could never fill Sirius' shoes, but we would love to be the support you need."

A smile tugged at Harry's lips and he looked at Anna, who gave an encouraging nod. "Yes, that...well, that would me more than you could ever know. Thank you so much."

He gave them both a hug, laughing when Kate dramatically engulfed him in a bear hug. Anna watched, and while she was upset earlier, she could see the light in her godparent's eyes upon looking at not just her and Harry, but each other.

She could see potential between the two of them.

"If you'd like to join us, you can," offered Remus kindly. "But no alcoholic beverages for you, of course."

"Thanks for the offer, but Harry and I are going to explore a bit more," said Anna. "I, um, well I hope things work out one way or another for you two. I love you guys."

More hugs were exchanged and the two teenagers left the bar. Anna led Harry to a clearing on a hill, looking over the town of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack. There was a bench and a fire pit, which she lit with the flick of her wrist.

She sat next to Harry, leaning into him as she started into the distance, memories flooding her.

"You know, three years ago I lived in that house with my father," said Anna with a sad smile. "I never thought I would make it here, in this spot, having the luxury of being able to look on the past without being tortured by it or on the run. I never thought I would have you by my side again. But here we are, many deaths and years later. We're almost adults, Harry."

"I was scared for you, Anna, I would've done anything to help."

"I know...and it makes me think about the future, looking back on the past. You never know what could happen, you have to make every moment count," said Anna quietly, looking up at him. "I read your letter, Harry. I thought you should know."

"Oh," was all he could say, finding it hard to meet her eyes. "Erm, could I ask why you decided to read it?"

"I actually was upset. Draco told me you put that deadly curse on Caspar...I was so mad and I just needed redemption from you, so I read it. I realized you didn't hate me or him, you finally came to terms that you didn't have to be angry at us. You admitted your wrongs, but the letter was just so beautifully written...I needed to know that was how you feel about me."

He put an arm around her, pulling her close. "Anna...how could I not love you? You're the best person I've ever met."

"I'm happy that over ten years ago, the first time we met, you asked me to be your friend," she said softly with a giggle, "You didn't mind I was weird compared to every else. For some reason, I just knew everything would be okay as long as you were by my side, even then."

Harry looked at her, biting his lip. He wanted so badly to address his feelings in person and have them start dating. He knew better, though. He knew they didn't have to be together romantically right away or even at all. Still, he was impatient to an extent because he felt so strongly for her. He vowed that he would wait until she was ready, as he had already admitted his feelings.

It was as if she read his mind, and maybe she did, when she said, "I love you, Harry, and I think I always have, even when I was with Caspar. I don't think we should rush things. It's never gone well in the past."

"I agree," said the boy, trying to keep his voice from being tight. "You did just get out of a relationship after all."

"Oh, and one more request?" asked Anna with a smirk.

"Yes?"

"Get rid of that bloody Potions book. You basically have me...still, we don't need another attempted murder on our hands."

"Anything for you, Anna."