It was somewhere around one in the morning in December, which was more then evident concerning the effect it had on the grounds of Hogwarts. The once rich green of the Scottish countryside was brutally murdered by the frost and turned into a muddy brown, covered with patches of the early snow. Soon the entire ground would be a frosted white, but until then, it looked like some infant god had made mudpies, froze them solid and deemed them the Scottish highlands. Even the castle looked frozen in place, with no lights and no life evident in it's many windows. Except for one.

One window was lit up with the golden dancing of candle light and within its warm rays was a woman, clothed in fine silk bathrobes, pacing back and forth in front of a roaring fire. In one hand was a half-empty mug of coffee and in the other was a newspaper. The hand that gripped the newspaper was white about the knuckles and the paper itself was nearly crumbled in her grip. She seemed to be mumbling to herself as she paced.

"...If we are to say that lycanthropy poses a threat of danger, then we must expel any and all wizards and witches from Hogwarts as well, because each and every one of us have powers that are quite definitely potential hazards..."

"Oh my Merlin..." She said, loud and clear, as she abruptly stopped reading. Staring down at the paper incredulously, she shook her head "... What are we teaching these children? Do they really think like this? That... that... since everything can potentially be dangerous that we should just disregard accepted facts and pretend that certain things don't pose a greater threat then others? EVERYTHING is dangerous! Anything can kill you... It's the ability to control that potential danger that makes all the difference..." She sighed and tossed the paper down angrily, adding "... Humans can control their impulses, werewolves cannot. I wouldn't let an insane student incapable of controlling their murderous impulse into the school, why would I allow one in who could infect, maim and even kill other students if there is just a single misstep on anyones part? There is simply too much to lose for one single student. Why can't anyone see that?"

"Perhaps you have gone about it wrong..." A voice suddenly cut in, revealing that Analiza was not talking to herself, but to a painting of an older man placed above the fireplace. As she rolled her eyes at his assertion, he added "You are not known to be very diplomatic, Ana. Even the best intentions can be taken negatively if the person harboring them is considered a villain by their subjects..."

"I'd rather be hated and successful then loved and a failure..." Ana snapped before she took a drink of the coffee. Making a sour face, she snarled something about it being cold and threw the cup into the fire with a resounding crash. She then plopped down in a chair and crossed her arms, pouting. Now she didn't have any coffee and she still felt like throwing something.

"You can be loved and successful Analiza. Don't let your grandfathers Machiavellian philosophy taint you..." the man in the picture reminded her. She gave him a dirty look "... Either way, Father, I am not about to let the whims of a bunch of little upstarts still attached to their mommies apron strings tell me how to do my job. Whoever wrote this... this tripe here..." She motioned to the letters posted recently in the Prophet, "... will have a lot of learning to do when they get out in the real world and have to live like grown ups. You learn real quick that anything can kill you and if you aren't smart, it will...."

"Ana..." her fathers painting sighed.

"I don't want to talk about this any more." Ana said suddenly, turning away from him abruptly and walking over to her desk where a pile of unopened mail awaited "I have letters to answer." A disapproving silence hung in the air between them for a moment and Ana sat motionless as her father's gaze bore into her back. Why didn't he just leave? He was good at that. After a moment, her wishes were fulfilled, for the awkward silence faded away and when she glanced back, he was gone. Sighing, she instantly regretted shooing him away. Now the room felt so empty and cold.

Biting back bad thoughts, Analiza opened up the first letter and read a couple of lines. The moment she saw any reference to Ollie, SAWS or werewolves, it went tumbling into a pile of letters overflowing from what seemed to have been a wastebasket in another life. She tossed several letters into this basket before coming to one that she actually finished reading. This one was from a pleased parent who congratulated her on taking care of her precious son and offered Analiza a substantial donation towards the school if she continued to keep the 'unworthies' out. Analiza picked up her long green quill and dipped it sharply in a silver inkpot before hovering it over a role of ivory parchment emblazoned with her gilded crest. Licking her lips, she pondered her choices.

On one hand, she kinda liked the feeling knowing that people considered her powerful enough to bribe. It meant that they feared her and wanted on her good side. It also meant that the dwindling school coffers could be refilled, which would only mean improvements to the school. Despite the 10 years of renovation, Hogwarts still needed fixing up. On the other hand, Analiza was a bit wary of the phrase "unworthies". She liked to consider herself open-minded and didn't support the pureblooded mindset that many of her supporters did. Sure, she expelled a werewolf, but it was a safety issue, not some bias against creatures. If she accepted this bribe, would they expect her to expel other 'unworthies' next?

Sitting back, she set down her quill and picked up her wand. Twirling it between her fingers, she considered her choices. As she did so, something in the back of her mind urged her on in a scheming voice. Just do it Ana... you are already the villain here... whats one little bribe gonna matter when they want your head anyways? The school needs the money... It's for the children... "It's for the children..." Ana repeated absentmindedly. Then, as if it dawned on her, she sat up straight and said more clearly "It's for the children." There, that made her feel much better.

Picking her quill up once more, she quickly scratched out a response in bold, sharp letters and sealed the letter with a satisfied flourish. With that, she picked up the small package on top of the pile. The name on the letter attached was Allie Hargrove. Hargrove... Hargrove... Where did she know that name. "Ah!" Ana suddenly smiled, her eyes lighting up. But of course, Kevin! How could she forget one of the few men in her life that saw her as a friend and not some toy they could use and throw away. NOT that she hadn't tried. She had a crush on him for the longest time. Allie was, if she remembered correctly, his baby sister. Merlin, that girl was tiny when Ana met her. She had to be in her later teens now, at least... Ana thought so. Was she at Hogwarts? She didn't remember seeing her name on the rosters, but then, Ana didn't pay much mind to individual students unless they had gotten on her bad side.

With almost childlike glee, Ana tore open the girls letter and read the brief letter excitedly.

Dear Headmistress Snark,

Hello Headmistress.  I'm not sure if you remember me, but I received post from my brother Kevin Hargrove the other day and he reminded me of your friendship.  He wanted me to make sure you knew that even in France, he's supporting you all the way, as am I.  I'm sure you don't like to think about all of the stresses you have, so I've enclosed something that always makes an afternoon better.

Support is yours,
Allie Hargrove

Picking up the box, Analiza tore off the simple paper and found a box of fine Honeydukes Chocolate. She wondered how Allie knew she loved chocolate so much. Probably Kevin told her, but Ana liked to think that she had made enough of an impression on the girl for her to remember on her own. Picking up the box, Analiza looked between it, Allie's letter and the letter that she had just wrote. Did she really need that money? Was betraying the heart felt respect of the few students that appreciated her worth it? Frowning, she put the box of chocolate down and picked up her letter. She had done everything she had done so far out of her own conviction, not because she was paid by someone who didn't have the gall to do it themselves, and she wasn't going to start now.

With a final heaving breath, she tossed the letter into the fire, picked up a piece of chocolate and popped it in her mouth, nearly melting into a puddle of pure joy at the taste. Merlin that was some damn fine chocolate. After regaining her composure, and unwrapping another piece, Analiza pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment and a quill, writing slower and more relaxed this time.

Dear Allie,

Of course I remember you....