Anna Potter and Prisoner of Askaban

Chapter 4

HOGWARTS CASTLE
[A carriage wheel shatters the glassy surface as we tilt up, catch a procession of horseless carriages, carrying students toward the glimmering castle. Gradually, the sweet sound of a choir rises on the air, a flash of lightining bleaches the night sky and we -CUT TO:]
GREAT HALL - NIGHT
[... the camera as it glides toward the windows of the Great Hall, Toward the candleit silhouettes glimmering within, passing through the glass. At the high table, Lupin sits with Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledor. We track along the faces of the choir, singing to the strains of a Harpsichord, and land on a quintet of toads (one of which -- Trevor -- belongs to Neville Longbottom, who looks on with pride). Argus Filch, Hogwarts' caretaker, stands grimly to the side as red-eyed Mrs. Norris switches her tail at his feet. As the choir's song concludes, Dumbledore rises, beaming over the sea of black hats.]
Everyone glares at Dumbledore for previous events.
Dumbledore: Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair... [McGonagall clears her throat.]
Dumbledore: Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor. [Amid scattered applause, Anna and Rose clap loudly.]
Gryffindors clap loudly while Remus blushes.
Rose: I like him.
Anna: He seems like he knows what he's doing. I hope he won't try to kill us or oblivate us.
"I will try not to." Chuckled Remus.
Rose: Same.
Dumbledore: As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid! [Anna and Rose stare at each other -stunned -- then applaud vigorously.]
Gryffindors join clapping again, but this time Remus claps, too.
[Hagrid turns ruby red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending water goblets weaving.]
Dumbledore: (turning grave) Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts -- at the request of the Ministry of Magic -- will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban.
"Whaaaaaat?!!" Yelled everyone.
"It's too dangerous!" Yelled James.
"They might harm students!" Yelled angry Lily.
"If one hair falls from my daughter's head, they will pay!" Seethed Narcissa. Lucius and Regulus nodded.
[A murmur of apprehension fills the hall. At the Slytherin table, Cassiopeia Malfoy, flanked by the everpresent Nott and Zabini, catches Anna's eye, feigns a dead faint.]
James and Sirius glare at Cassiopeia.
Dumbledore: The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving.
"Than why the fuck is it in school full of children?!" Yelled frustrated Remus.
ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT
[Students exit the Great Hall, scale the Marble Staircase.]
MARBLE STAIRCASE/THIRD FLOOR - NIGHT
[Rose and Anna hear crying. They look toward sound and see girl crying.]
Anna: You go. I'll talk to her.
Rose: I'll come, too.
Anna: No, She wouldn't like to be surrounded. It's better if only one talks to her.
Everyone agreed.
Rose: You're right. [Rose goes. Anna sits next to a girl. Girl wipes her tears away and looks up.]
Anna: Hi! My name is Anna. Anna Potter. [Girl doesn't answer, but looks at Anna surprised.] What's your name?
Girl: Ada Ettington.
"Ettington?" Asked James interested.
"You know her?" Asked Lily.
"Ettingtons are purebloods. They all have been sorted to Griffindor. She is probably first Ettington in Slytherin." Answered Sirius for James.
Anna: Beautifull name. Why were you crying, Ada?
Ada: nothing. [Anna doesn't say anything, just looks at her.]
Ada: My friends don't want to be friends with me, because they think i'm bad.
Anna: Why do they think that?
Ada: Because I'm a Slytherin. They're right. I'm bad, only bad people goes to
Slytherin.
Slytherins look at her sympathetically.
Anna: You make Slytherin sound like hell. From my point of view your friends seem like bad friends. [Ada looks confused.] When you read about Slytherin. Slytherin's trait's are written cunning and ambitius, not evil.
"My little snake." Said proud Barty.
"For the last time Crouch, SHE IS MY DAUGHTER!" Yelled James.
"And for the last time Potter, I DO NOT CARE!" Yelled Barty. Lily holds back James.
"Calm down." Said Lily.
"But Lily-flower..." said James, but recieved glare and shut up.
Ada: And? they're bad traits.
Anna: Not really. Being ambition helps you achieve your goal. It's a good thing and there is nothing wrong with being cunning, this means you think before you act. You plan ahead, that's a good trait. Ambitious, determined, cunning, those are the leader's traits.
Slytherins sit proudly with smug smirks on their faces. Gryffindors either roll their eyes or glare.
Anna: It's bad only when it's too much, but so is in other houses. Too much bravery can turn into idiotism and get you killed, too much loyalty can blind you, too much thirst for knowledge can make you greedy, too much ambition can make you priorate your goal over everything. It's not only Slytherin, every house has flaws.
"Finally Gryffindor who can see." Said Evan.
[Ada looks unshure.]
Ada: Then why are every bad wizards from Slytherin?
Anna: (scoffed) That's a lie. Not every bad wizard is from Slytherin. Every house have dark wizards. Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Even Hufflepuff and Hufflepuff is known as the kindest house. But for some reason everyone only talks about Slytherin's dark wizards.
"Exactly." Said Regulus.
Anna: If you ask me Slytherin isn't house of evil, it's house of misunderstoods. (Whispers) Do you want me to tell you a secret? [Ada nods.]
Anna: Hat was going to sort me in Slytherin. [Ada looks surprised.] Yeah, it's right, Griffindor's poster girl is supposed to be a Slytherin. I asked hat to put me in Griffindor, because my parents were in Griffindor and my first friend is in Griffindor... Maybe that's why i always feel kind of defencive of Slytherin, because deep down i know, I'm a snake, too. You think it makes me a bad person?
Ada: No.
Anna: Then it doesn't make you a bad person either, does it?
Ada: (smiling) I guesse.
Everyone smiles at this cute scene.
Anna: That's right. Smile. Because you have nothing to be ashamed of. Be proud of your house. Prove everyone wrong, Show them that there are good Slytherins, too. [Anna stands up and gives Ada a hand. Ada takes it and stands up.]
Ada: Thank you. [Ada hugs Anna. Anna freezes in shock, but then hugs back.]
"So cute." Squealed Lily.
Anna: You're welcome, princess. Now go to your dorm. It's late. [Ada runs smilling. Anna hears clapping from behind and turns around.]
Cassie: Nice speech. [Anna turns around surprised.]
"Why is she everywhere?" Groaned Sirius.
Anna: Malfoy.
Cassie: Potter...
Anna: Is it your new hobby? Sneaking up on me and listening on me? [Cassie rolls her eyes.]
Cassie: Like i have nothing better to do than stalk you, Potter.
Anna: Then why are you here?
Cassie: It's not any of your business, but i noticed Ada hasn't come back and came to check if she was okay. Now i know she is, i'll... go.
Narcissa smiles proudly at her little girl.
Anna: See you later, Malfoy.
Cassie: You would like to, wouldn't you Pottah?
"No, she wouldn't!" Said protective Marauders.
"Not you, too, Remus." Groaned Lily.
[Anna shook her head smiling and turns around to go, when suddenly, Cassie speaks...]
Cassie: You were really gonna be in Slytherin? [Anna turns back.]
Anna: (raise her eyebrow) Yes, Why?
Cassie: Didn't think the golden girl would be a snake in lion's den or would admit it.
Anna: I'm not ashamed of who i am.
Slytherins smile at her, along with Griffindors.
HOGWARTS CASTLE - SAME TIME
[The Dementors drift to their positions outside the grounds.]
People glare at them.
DIVINATION CLASSROOM - MORNING
[Anna and Rose sit on fat little pouffes in a murky, incense-laden room, along with Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender Brown, Parvati Partil and others.]
Professor Trelawney (O.S.): Welcome, my children. In this room, you shall explore the mysterious art of Divination. In this room, you shall discover if you possess... [A crimson scrim flutters and Sybil Trelawney, Divination Professor, glides dramatically into view, eyes huge and bug-like behind enormous glasses.]
"Not the divination. I hate it!" Said Lily.
Professor Trelawney: ... the Sight. Hello. I am Professor Trelawney. Together, we shall cast ourselves into the future. But know this. One either has the Gift or not. It cannot be divined from the pages of a book. Books only cloud one's Inner Eye.
"The worst subject." Said Lily.
Professor Trelawney: (spinning on Neville) You, boy! Is your grandmother well?
Neville: I... I think so.
Professor Trelawney: I wouldn't be so sure of that.
Rose: [to Neville] Don't worry! Everyone says she's fraud. [Neville smiles.]
Professor Trelawney: The first term will be devoted to the reading of tea leaves. If all goes well, we will proceed to palmistry, fire omens, and finally... the crystal ball. Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. Well then. Shall we?