AN: Hey, sorry about the delay! I had so much on my plate and writer's block too! Plus, when I was almost done, my chapter deleted itself! You would believe how many times I had to redo this chapter!

I also am really scared no one will like this chapter because it's kind of sad and dark. I'm especially worried about the dream part. I hope it isn't too confusing or anything. Feedback is appreciated!

*Couple weeks later*

Anna was having nightmares again. This happened every once in a while, Remus knew and he should've been used to it by now but it still scared him to see her so vulnerable when she is usually so strong and independent. She tossed and turned and whimpered and muttered, but it soon escalated until she was practically screaming. He furrowed his brow as he scrambled to calm her down. What could she possibly be dreaming about?

~Anna's dream~

Anna struggled with all her might against the Deatheaters' grip but it was no use. She felt tears running down her cheeks as she watched the scene unfold before her. The monster, Voldemort, stood in all his glory, grinning menacingly at the hooded figure kneeled in front of him. The Dark Lord ripped the soiled cloak from the head of the stranger to reveal her nephew sitting there, weak and bruised with bloodshot eyes. She shouted and screamed when the dark wizard lifted his wand, "Crucio!" She sobbed as Harry cried out in agony. He looked at her with eyes begging for her help but she had no way to aid him. She didn't have her wand. She pulled against the large hands that held her in place, wanting with all her being to throw herself in front of her nephew and protect him, but she could not escape them.

In the corner of the dark room, she heard a chuckle. It was a familiar laugh but it was...twisted. It sounded dark and repulsive and nothing like it was supposed to. The stranger stepped out of the darkness and there he stood with a dark mark on his arm and a sinister smile. She gasped, "Padfoot." He kneel in front of her mockingly, "You should've killed me when you had the chance, Red." He pointed his wand at her forehead, "Avad-"

~Dream end~

Anna woke up screaming with tears in her eyes, Remus had her in his arms with eyes wide with worry, trying to calm her. She stopped screaming and settled for weeping into his chest. He whispered comforting words into her ear and stroked her hair. When she finally dried her tears she met his concerned gaze, "You've never reacted that way to a dream before...are you okay?" She wiped her eyes, "Y-yeah, I'm fine...thanks for waking me up." He frowned, "Anna what on Earth did you dream about? You have nightmares from time to time (it's only natural after all you've been through) but, Merlin, I've haven't seen you react like that from a nightmare for years!" She sighed, "Just forget it Remus..." He gently took her hand and looked her in the eyes, "Anna, please, just tell me."

And just like that she told him everything she could remember. The words spilled out of her until there was nothing left to say and he sighed, "Well, I suppose it makes sense you would have a nightmare like that. You worry about Harry constantly and this whole Sirius Black business has put you on edge." He kissed her forehead, "Now try to go back to sleep and, if you can't, you can wake me up and we can stay up together." She smiled gratefully.

Remus knew just how to handle her night terrors because when James and Lily died, she had gotten them practically every night. They were part of the reason they moved in together. They were driving her insane, especially with no one to help her through them and, since they had both needed the support, they moved in. That way, they could help each other. They healed each other and somewhere along the way, they fell in love.

Anna smiled a bit at her husband, "I love you." He kissed her softly, "I love you too, now get some rest." She let him wrap his arm around her and closed her eyes, actually managing to fall back asleep.

Unfortunately, neither of them noticed the rat crawling out from behind the headboard of the bed and back to the Gryffindor common room. Peter silently congratulated himself on a job well done. That little nightmare he conjured should definitely put some doubt in the ginger's mind about Sirius's innocence.

-The next day-

The trip to Hogsmede was today and all of the students were very excited. Harry, however, was bummed that his incident with Aunt Marge may have completely ruined his chances of getting to go. But after breakfast, he sees his aunt in the hallway and builds up the courage to ask her, "Hey, Anna!" She turns and smiles at him, "Hello, Harry! How are you?" He shifts nervously, "...I'm good. Hey, could you sign my Hogsmede permission slip?" He takes out the crumpled piece of paper and hold it out to her.

He expected her to just causally take it from his hand and sign it, but instead she gave him a look like he just tried to pass her a severed head. She smiled nervously, "You know what? Hogsmede isn't that great, why don't you here? It's safe and-" He looked at her with disbelief, "You aren't going to let me go?" Her eyes softened, "Harry, I'm so sorry. I just worry about you so much and with Sir- I mean Black out there, possibly hunting you down...I'm just not sure anymore." He looked up at her pleadingly, "Please? It'll be crowded and I'll stick close to Ron and Hermione. He wouldn't dare attack me in front of all of those people!" She chuckled without humor, "You overestimate his sanity. Sirius doesn't really have a good history with making smart choices."

She looked at his sad expression and sighed before caving, "...But, I think you're right. I guess I'm just being paranoid. I'll sign it but I can't promise my signature will be excepted. Just be carefu- oof!" She was cut off by Harry hugging her tightly, "Thank you! I promise I will be extra careful!" She smiled and ruffled his hair, "I don't doubt it. Now run along! Minnie will be collecting those Permission slips soon. Don't wanna be left behind, do ya?" He nodded, "Thanks!" He ran off and she slumped against the wall.

She facepalmed and looked up at the sky, "Merlin, when did I become such a pushover?" She heard a deep, hearty laughter from behind her, "Well, I can't say I blame you. It's harder to say no to that boy than it was to say no to you when you were his age and, let me tell you, you had puppy dog eyes that could melt steel if you tried!" She turned with a grin, "Hagrid! I've been meaning to talk to you! I'm so sorry about Buckbeak. I swear that Draco is the carbon copy of that rotten father of his." The groundskeeper grunted in agreement, "Aye, that boy is nothin' but trouble! And not the goodnatured kind of trouble, like you and James would get into."

She nodded, "Dumbledore mentioned you were going to continue teaching soon. Is that true?" "Aye, but I won' be doin' anything dangerous for a while. I figure it be best to keep on the down low for a while." She nodded in understanding, "Well, I best be off!"

*Time skip*

It turned out not even Anna's signature was enough to get Harry into Hogsmede. Anna found out as much when her husband told her Harry visited him in their classroom that day while they were eating dinner . He seemed amused, "He warned me that Severus might be out for our job. Said he heard rumors that Snape would do anything to be the DADA teacher." Anna giggled, "We better watch out, then." He laughed and elbowed her, "Like he'd lay a finger on you! As much as I dislike that man, he cares for you. He wouldn't get rid of you for a teaching position." After a moment of silence he continued, "I found out that we were wrong about Harry's fear." The witch frowned, "It wasn't Voldy?" "It was Dementors."

The fox went silent for another moment, "...Well, it's a very practical fear, I suppose. Fearing fear is very wise." The werewolf chuckled, "That's what I told him. I don't think he believed me. I think he's embarrassed. He thinks he's weak because he fainted on the train. I'm actually glad I didn't let him step in front of that Boggart. That Draco Malfoy probably would've teased him about it." Anna nodded but said no more. It was Halloween, so the feast was even better than usual. Anna hoped that, since she had a nightmare the night before, she wouldn't have nightmares tonight.

After all, James and Lily were murdered on October 31st.

No wonder, Severus hadn't shown up to the Halloween feast.

*Time skip*

Later that evening, Anna and Remus were heading to their room, when they passed by the entrance to the Gryffindor common room...which was crowded by students demanding to be let in. Anna broke away from Remus and ran forward to find out what was going on with her husband trotting after her. Her sharp voice broke through the panicked chatter, "For Merlin's sake, will somebody please tell me what's going on?!" The crowd of Gryffindors parted like the Red Sea. Anna paled and looked down at the nearest Gryffindor, which just so happened to be Ginny Weasley, "Ginny, dear, run and get the Headmaster. Tell him Anna Lupin sent him...tell him it's urgent."

Five minutes later...

Albus couldn't believe what he was seeing. Before him, where the Fat Lady, should've sat, there was nothing but blank canvas. He casts a worried glance at Professor Lupin, who looked just as concerned, of not more.

After several moments of quiet, he finally spoke, "We need to find her. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady.

Suddenly, Peeves' mischievous voice cut through the tension, "You'll be lucky!" Dumbledore addressed the poltergeist, "What do you mean?" Peeves sobered slightly, not daring to taunt the wise old wizard, "Ashamed, your headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her dodging through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful."

Anna spoke up, her voice gentle for the children's sake, "Did she mention who did it, Peeves?"

Peeves nodded, trying not to grin at all of the attention he was receiving, "Oh yes, Miss. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in you see." The ghost shot her a gruesome grin, "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

AN: What do you think? I hope it's okay. I tried to make it suspenseful and stuff. I'm really nervous about this chapter, though.