A/N: Hey, sorry I took so long to update! I want to say that the title is a reference to the saying, "Blood is thicker than water." I was afraid that might be confusing to some people. I know this chapter seems like a bit of a filler but I just wanted Ron and Anna to have a moment. I felt like it I was focusing too much on her with Harry and Hermione and neglecting "Ickle Ronikins!" So, enjoy! And I would like to give a special thanks to all that have voted and supported my story! Thanks so much! Don't forget to comment! I would love to hear your opinions!

"Do you have to go, Red?" Said Remus as Anna made her way out the door. She turned and smiled sadly, "You know I do." He sighed and reached into his jacket pocket, "At least take this to remember me by." She gasped and out her hand over mouth, "Remus, it's beautiful!" He placed it on her palm and she held it into the light. It was a shiny, round, gold locket with an extricate carving of a fox on the front. She opened it and smiled.
In the first half was picture from her school days. The marauders and Lily were all laughing and goofing off by the lake. James was chasing Sirius, who had stolen his friend's wand. She, Remus, and Lily were all gazing up at the pair with amusement from their places on the grass. If you looked close enough, you could even see Remus and Anna's hands, which were inches away from touching.

The second half of the locket was empty and Anna looked up in confusion. "It's for a picture of Harry and his friends. I thought you would want to put in your own picture." Remus said. She closed the locket and put it around her neck before wrapping her arms around her husband's neck, "Thank you, Moony. You don't know what this means to me." She kissed him deeply and pulled back, "I couldn't have married a better man, werewolf or not. Goodbye, Remy. See you soon." He smiled, "Goodbye, Red." He watched as the fox raised her wand and disappeared.

*Time Skip*

Anna sighed with a smile when Hogwarts came into view. It was like having two homes. When she finally made it inside of the castle, she hurried upstairs to change into a pair of her usual attire. Dumbledore had a strange system, which Anna had come to love. Like most magic schools, Hogwarts professors had to wear a uniform. However, they could choose their "uniform." Teachers could have up to four different outfits of their choice to wear on a daily basis.
Anna's first had been a set of black robes, similar to what the students wore. Then, there were her maroon robes with good embroidery that was meant to represent her Gryffindor door pride. Her third outfit was an elegant, white blouse that she had paired with a black pencil skirt and she usually matched them with a pair of flats. And her last ensemble was an emerald green tunic with a celestial bronze cape, which sounded flashy but was really nothing out of the ordinary when it came to wizard attire. Dumbledore didn't really enforce this rule very much but everyone followed it, most teachers only wore one "uniform."
Anna tried to take advantage of the rule. She also had several cloaks (many with hoods) to wear over them. There was just something she loved about them.

She changed in her black robes and wasted no time heading downstairs. It was dinner now, so she wouldn't have any classes. It was Remus' fault, though...He had such a sad look in the morning when he realized she would be leaving so early in the morning that she couldn't help but call the headmaster to ask for more time. Albus had generously offered to give her until dinner She had spent the day with the werewolf buying chocolate at Honeydukes, having a picnic for lunch, visiting the Weasleys, and just goofing off and talking like always. It was a pretty nice day, all in all.

She had been roaming through the hallways, trying to figure out what she would do, since she wasn't hungry, when she heard arguing. It had turned out to be Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Percy. Percy was scowling at his brother, "Do you care what this looks like? Coming back here while everyone's at dinner-" Ron was glaring just as fiercely and Anna was struck with the similarities between the argument the two Weasleys were having and the fights she used to have with her bossy older sister, Petunia. She would probably have to talk to Ron about that.

"Why shouldn't we be here?" Ron stated hotly, "We never laid a finger on that cat!" Percy did not dare question that, instead tried taking a different root, guilt, "That's what I told Ginny, but she seems to think you are going to be expelled, I've never seen her so upset, crying her eyes out-" Before Percy could finish, a voice interrupted them from the shadows, "Now Percival, aren't we being a bit dramatic?" The perfect straightened, when the professor stepped out from her hiding place, "Professor, I apologize. I was just telling Ron-" She cut him off with a motherly look, "Percy, you look like a nervous wreck. I understand, this ordeal has been stressful for all of us. I will look after these three, so they don't get hurt or in trouble." Percy looked relieved, "Thank you, that would be great."
The perfect began to walk away, but Anna called to him one last time, "And Percy? You didn't here it from me, but I happen to know that there is a list of possible head boys that Albus keeps and you, Mr. Weasley, are at the very top. So don't worry so much, it stresses you out and stress clouds judgement." The Perfect beamed at Anna and nodded vigorously, "Yes, Professor Evans! And...thank you." She smiled kindly and shooed him away, before turning to her nephew with a triumphant grin.

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Harry, "Aunt Anna!" He hugged her and she squeeze him tightly and ruffled his hair, "Hey Harry. Did ya miss me?" He grinned up at her, "Absolutely." Ron was looking at the professor in a amazement, "I can't believe you managed to get Percy off my back. He's the most stubborn out of all of us! I've been tryin' for years!" She smirked, "He's just like my sister Petunia when she was around his age. There is no way to reason with a bossy, know-it-all, older sibling. You have to use flattery." Ron nodded as if committing her words to memory, "So...what you said about him being first in line for head boy was a load of rubbish?" She shook her head, "No, he is first. I was just using the information to my advantage and he really does need to chill put before he hurts himself. I never thought I'd manage to find someone who came close to being as uptight as Petunia." Harry smirked, he could definitely see a little of his aunt Petunia in Ron's brother.

Ron looked up at Anna with interest, "I knew Harry had another aunt, who was terrible, but it never occurred to me that that would make her your sister. I wish I had a fun aunt like you. I only have two great-aunts. They are both strict and unpleasant. I like Aunt Muriel the best, but that is only because she doesn't smell as bad as Aunt Tessie."
Anna winced in sympathy, "That's some rotten luck, Ron. But do they care about you?" Ron looked up in confusion, "Of course! They're family!" Anna bit her lip, "Ron...Harry is my only living flesh and blood family that is willing to even think of me as a human being and not a freak and I'm the same for him. Appreciate the relatives you have because, trust me, I would do anything to have what you have. But, if you need an aunt, I would be honored to call you my honorary nephew! Molly is probably already planning on sending me a Weasley sweater for christmas anyways! Not to mention the fact that I have red hair. I could easily pass myself off as a Weasley! That is, if you'll have me?"

Ron blinked, as if trying to process that question, "Of course!" He smiled, but frowned when he was able to take in the rest of her lecture, "I never thought of myself as lucky before for having so much family. You're right, too much family is better than no family at all. But you do have a family, not flesh and blood, but still family. You have me and my big family, Hermione, and who knows who else!" He knew she considered Snape as family, but just the thought of him being related to a snake like him made him cringe.

Anna pulled Ron into a half hug, "Thanks Ron, that means a lot. Now, we have to get you three back to the common room. I still don't trust these halls. That cat was petrified by something. Do me a favor and be careful, you three. I know I won't be able to stop you from doing your investigations, but I don't want you hurt. Remember, this year is different. You have an adult who trusts your word, I can help. Oh and you should talk to your sister, Ron. If Percy's telling the truth, she's scared and needs her brother and I have a feeling you're the one who can help."
They came to the common room and they said their goodbyes. Anna began to wander the halls, when a cold hand clamped on her arm. "Aguamenti!" She shouted the first spell that popped into her mind and icy blue light flowed from her wand out if her wand. She felt the stranger's grip loosen and pulled free. Anna gasped once she saw who her "attacker" had been, "Oh dear...Sev, I'm so sorry! I'm a bit on edge. Mrs. Norris's petrification has made me jumpy!" She continued to apologize to Severus who was soaking wet from the stream of water that Anna shot him with.

The potions master sighed. Had it been anyone else, he would've been absolutely furious...but this was Anna. Besides, he couldn't exactly blame her for her reaction and he was lucky, really. He could've been hit by something far more painful than water. He snapped out of his thoughts when he realized the poor ginger was still apologizing profusely and rambling like she always did when she felt guilty. He tried to cut in but she didn't hear him. It came to the point where he had to grip her gently by the shoulders and get her to look him in the eye, "Anna, it's fine, really. I shouldn't have scared you like that. I would've done the same." He waved his wand and his clothes and hair dried instantly.

Anna smiled and motioned for him to walk with her, "So, what did you want to say before you scared me?" He shrugged, "I just wanted to ask if you wanted me to walk with you to your room. You aren't the only one that was put off by the incident with Argus's cat and that message written in blood." She smiled a little at the gesture, "Of course! But can I just ask? Do you think this thing or person or whatever will really strike again? Do you think that it will target muggleborns and squibs? I mean, isn't it possible that it means something else?" Professor Snape considered it for a moment, "It is possible but one can't be too careful. It's best to stay prepared for another attack. It is also true that the message could have multiple meanings, but I'd rather not take the risk. Besides, you look tired. You must've missed a lot of sleep on the full moon."

Severus was stunned when he saw the Mutt had sent him a letter. He couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day. It made him realize that Anna could be in danger. He already lost Lily, Anna had to live. The letter had annoyed him too. He had refused to acknowledge the marriage between the two. The mental images were far too horrifying. He hoped he never had to see them together, he doubted he would be able to keep his lunch down.

The friends made it to Anna's dorm and said goodnight. They both fell asleep rather quickly, both of their minds were tired of thinking.

*The Next Day (Lockhart's Class)*

It took all of Anna's resolve for her to withhold the urge to best her head against the wall. The Defense Against the Dark Arts class had turned into Lockhart reading selections from his book. He had even went as far as to act them out. Harry seemed to be picked the most for these reenactments out of all of them and Anna, of course. Today he decided it would be a good idea to tell the story of his encounter with werewolf. Oh boy.

Gilderoy picked Harry to be the werewolf. "Nice loud howl, Harry-exactly-and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced-like this-slammed him to the floor-thus with one hand, I managed to hold him down-with my other, I put my wand to his throat-I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm-he let out a piteous moan-go on, Harry-higher than that-good-the fur vanished-the fangs shrank-and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective-and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."

Finally, the bell rang and the students filed out as Lockhart reminded them he would be signing copies of his new book. Anna was prepared to dash out of the room, when she saw Hermione approach Lockhart with her friends behind her and ask for permission to get a book from the restricted section, making sure to use plenty of flattery. Lockhart, not one to disappoint, signed the paper without even looking at it.

Anna caught up with them in the hallway, "You know, I would've signed that for you." Hermione smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Professor but we didn't want anyone to tie it back to you if we're caught." Anna nodded and let them be.

Later, in the abandoned girls bathroom, Hermione groaned in frustration, "This is the most complex potion I've ever encountered! I don't even know if we can get all the ingredients." Harry thought for a minute, "What about Snape's ingredients?" Hermione nodded, "He might have everything we need but there's no way he won't notice his ingredients missing and when he does notice we'll be the first he'll suspect." Ron shrugged, "We could ask Anna." Harry shook his head, "I don't want to risk her job because of Malfoy. If we go to her, she'll want to know what we're up to and she might be cool, but she's still a professor. She's not going to let us do something like this." Hermione bit her lip, "We'll have to stick with Snape. We might me able to get an ingredient or two from Anna if we ask for left over ingredients to practice, but we can't jeopardize her job. She has done so much for us already."