Disclaimer: Since J.K.Rowling's lawyers have been stalking me lately… I DO NOT own any of the characters from Harry Potter, the setting, or anything like that. I own Prayer R. Willow's and that's it.
A/N: Welcome to the wonderful world of Harry Potter! Let me give you a bit background information on Prayer. Prayer is an "almost" orphan, much like Harry. She has an older brother that she refers to often. She refers to him as Brother most of the time. Prayer is thirteen as we start out.
Prayer knows the Weasley's and the Malfoy's already. She had lived with Draco & the Malfoy's for a bit. She has also lived with Snape, Bellatrix, and Dumbledore. At the beginning of this, she is living with Ms. Figg. This is starting at Harry's third year in Hogwarts. She has transferred from being privately schooled by Cornelius Fudge.
Harry Potter sat outside on the step of his Aunt and Uncle's house. He watched his boring street. It was July, boiling hot in England, and boring as ever. His cousin, Dudley, stepped out of the front door as his friends rode up on their bikes.
"Hey Dud! Come ride with us!" one of them shouted. Dudley made a move, shoving Harry, as he headed to the garage for his bike.
"Out of my way Potter!" Dudley yelled at Harry.
Harry got up off of his Aunt Petunia's wilting rhododendrons, and headed for the park. On his way to the park, he noticed that Ms. Figg was outside with a girl who looked about his age. She was a bit shorter than Harry, with chocolate brown hair, and hazel eyes that seemed to change from gray to green to dark blue with every step he took. She was assisting Ms. Figg in planting bulbs. She looked very familiar, as if had just seen her at Hogwarts.
"Ah Harry!" Ms. Figg called to him. "Come meet Prayer! She's my cousin's husband's sister's cousin's husband's wife's daughter!" She called.
Harry had no idea what Ms. Figg had just said, but nodded and smiled as the pretty girl turned around. She wore blue jeans and a tight black tee- shirt. She wore long wristbands on her left arm. She had make-up on, mostly just eyeliner and black nail polish. She had black converse sneakers on.
"Hello." The girl said in a soft, quiet voice. "My names Prayer, Prayer Willow."
She offered her hand. Harry took it and shook it.
"I'm Harry, Harry Potter."
She smiled.
"Now where are you off to on such a hot day Harry?" Ms. Figg asked.
"Oh, I was headed off to the park." Harry answered.
"Harry dear, would you mind if Prayer tagged along? She's still getting used to the neighborhood, and you could help her get along eh?"
"Um, sure. This way." Harry said smiling at Prayer as he started to walk.
"Now Prayer, be good. You wouldn't want me to have to call your Mum an' tell her your being bad now would you?"
"Yes Ms. Figg." Prayer answered almost robotically.
Harry could tell she was used to Ms. Figg worrying over her. As Harry and Prayer got out of earshot, Harry saw Prayer sneaking glances at him. The two reached the park to find Dudley and his gang there.
"Hey Potter, who's that?" Dudley called as they approached. One of Dudley's friends wolf-whistled.
"Her name's—"
"My name's Prayer." She said cutting Harry off. "I just moved in with Ms. Figg."
"Oh is that so?" Dudley said.
"Looks like my Prayer for a pretty girl have just been answered." Dudley's friend said.
Prayer smiled sweetly at him, and waltzed up to the five of them. Harry rolled his eyes.
'Looks like Duds' won her over already…' Harry thought. Prayer smiled.
"Think my name is funny do you?" She questioned in an almost irritable voice.
"Uh-oh I think you've made the little lady angry!" Another boy joked to the first.
"So you think it's funny too?" Prayer asked in her sweet voice, turning towards him.
"Yea I do. We all do." Dudley answered laughing. "So how about you come over and have dinner with me tonight?"
Prayer moved her fist back, and punched the first boy in the face. She turned to the second one and kicked him swiftly between the legs. Both cried out. Dudley and his friends stared wide-eyed, and then ran off.
'Bloody hell! I suppose she isn't that bad…'
"SEE YOU FOR DINNER DURSLEY!" Prayer called after Dudley.
"Blimey Prayer that was bloody brilliant! What in the hell was that?"
"That was me. I'm not as innocent as you all thought. Have you got any letters recently?" Prayer said as she sat on a swing.
Harry sat next to her.
"Er… no. Are you really going to come over for dinner? I live with the idiot and he eats like an animal." Harry said chuckling.
Prayer grinned. "Yea, I'll come over. Figgie shouldn't mind."
"So where's your mother? Ms. Figg seems intent on keeping you in line."
"Harry, I—"
A white owl swooping down over her head and landing on Harry's shoulder interrupted her.
"Hedwig? I…"
Harry looked at Prayer.
"Is that your owl Harry?" Prayer asked.
"I…er…um… no?"
Hedwig chirped. She had a letter. It was from Dumbledore. Harry took it, and opened it. It read:
Harry,
I'm sure by now you've met a young lady by the name of Prayer Willow. She is a witch, and you should trust her with any secrets. You're more alike than you know. She will be picked up by Mr. Malfoy, Professor Snape, or Mr. Weasley in late August just in time for school shopping.
She is an orphan, though she does have an elder brother that hasn't been around for awhile. Ms. Figg has been given a cover story. She has an owl, that I will ask when comes to your dwelling, you let stay in your room. Her owl is black with red tipped wings and tail. His name is Cerberus. Let him in when he taps at your window. Stay close with her Harry, and do not let any sign of her being close with your cousin, aunt, or uncle disturb you. I will see you at school Harry. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
Harry scanned this quickly, and gave a startled look to Prayer.
"I suppose that's the letter from Dumbledore, about Cerberus and such. Well, it is true."
"Blimey Prayer!" Harry said mulling it all over.
He had just met another Witch that Dudley found to be perfectly normal. She seemed so normal. Yet she still looked so familiar.
"If…if you don't mind me asking…"
"Ask away." She said grinning ear to ear.
"Did I see you at Hogwarts?"
"No. I was never there during the school year."
'Then where do I know her from? Wait… She almost looks like… in the Chamber… no, couldn't be.'
"If you have an older brother, why don't you live with him?" Harry asked.
"Brother is very sick right now. He'll be better soon."
"But Snape? Malfoy? Why are you—"
"I was raised with them. Let us just say that, well, Brother is close with them, and was with Dumbledore. They are like family. I suppose I'll be in Gryffindor then… Dumbledore wouldn't want me in… never mind. Oh look, a garter snake!"
Prayer got off the swing, and made soft sounds. The snake rose up, and slithered to her. She picked it up.
"You… you're a…a…"
"Yea, I'm a P.T. Family trait I suppose. My Dad was a muggle, my Mum was a witch. Love potion you see. She loved him too much, so she let him go."
Harry understood that P.T. stood for Parseltongue, and was moved that barley knowing him, Prayer would share this with him. Prayer hissed to the snake, and put him down. The snake slithered away.
"But… you have to know other wizards. I mean you do. Do they know you're a…a…"
"No, Harry. Dumbledore, Snape, and Lucius Malfoy do. I don't intend for many more to find out."
Prayer glanced at the sky.
"It's about six. Your Aunt Petunia should be serving supper about now." Prayer said giggling at Harry's bamboozled look.
"How did you know that? The time, her name, what time supper is?"
Prayer blushed slightly; her oddly pale skin turning a light pink in her face.
"Well, I've um… been watching you since I got here Harry. I got here two days ago." She said walking towards the houses. "Oh, and I've been studying things with Snape. I know what time it is by the sun's position. Are you coming?" Prayer said smiling.
Harry hurried off after her. The two arrived at the house. As Harry opened the door, Aunt Petunia pushed him out of the way to greet Prayer.
"Hello darling. Oh Dudders she is a pretty one! Oh my, it is so hot out! Come now, the bathroom is up the stairs, second door on your right. Go ahead and freshen up." She said leading Prayer to the stairs.
"Thank you Ma'am."
"Harry, go get changed! We have a guest!" Aunt Petunia ordered.
"Yes Aunt Petunia."
Harry hurried up the stairs after Prayer to get changed. He entered his room to find Prayer opening the window. He stood quietly in the doorway.
"C'mon in Cer. It's alright I promise. Cerberus, come on in here love. It's alright. Hedwig, tell 'him it's all right please."
Hedwig chirped as a black bird with crimson tipped wings and tail flew through the window. Prayer took a black bag with spare cloths in it from him.
"Dumbledore said you would be safe here. He said we both would, until Sev or Lucius or Arthur comes for us. Besides, Sev is helping get Brother get back into—"
Prayer noticed Harry standing in the doorway.
"Until Sev helps Brother get back into good health. Keep quiet up here with Hedwig while I eat Cer."
She finished looking at Harry curiously. She exited past him, handing him a note.
"Don't read it 'till after supper." She said heading for the bathroom.
Prayer washed up quickly, changed, and headed for the stairs. As she passed Harry's room, she watched him finger the note. He gingerly put it under his pillow, and headed for the door. Prayer darted downstairs. Petunia was waiting for her.
"What took you so long dear?"
"Oh, I had to change." Prayer said holding up a bag nobody had noticed before.
"Ah, very pretty girl, very nice outfit darling. Come come, supper is ready."
The two entered the kitchen with Harry following them. Vernon gave Prayer a smile and looked at her. She had pulled her long hair back and put it up in a bun. She wore a black skirt, black sandal-heels, a long-sleeved black top with red buttons, and a black beaded necklace. She also wore what appeared to be a cracked snake fang.
"You must be Prayer! Well, what a pretty girl you've picked out Dudley! I suppose you'll be going to his Prep School in September?" Vernon said rising to shake her hand.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Dursley. What a pleasure. Oh, sadly no Mr. Dursley. Ms. Figg has enrolled me in a school far into the country."
"Ah, well, please sit down!" Vernon said.
Prayer sat between Harry and Dudley. They had some sort of steak for dinner. After dessert, which was strawberry fudge, Prayer thanked the family, and headed for the door.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Dursley, the meal was wonderful. Mr. Dursley, thank you for having me. Dudley, I will see you again." She said flashing him a devilish grin. "Oh, and Harry, I'll see you around."
After Prayer left, Petunia was almost in tears.
"She's such a sweet girl. She even said goodbye to my no-good nephew."
Harry rushed upstairs at the first chance he got to get the note. He picked it up and read it:
Harry,
I'm sure you know Ron. For Pete's sake he never shuts up about you. Oh, I'm sorry, that's Ginny. Arthur is picking me up in a week. We have to get me out early. Cerberus will stay with you, leaving when I call for him. If you need help, just call out in P.T. I can get you out of anything. Well, I'll be there if you need me. I'll be playing Quittich with Fred and George. I'll send you more letters with the ones Ron will send. It's too risky to have them find me through you. The Death Eaters are coming for me. They know Tommy's sick, and they will do anything to get a hold of me. To talk to me, use this spell. The Ministry won't pick it up. I've done my homework. The spell is Silencio Devoidence. Well, see you around Harry. Oh, and next time, I want to see your scar. Learn that spell, and then burn this after you read this.
Prayer
AKA Zero
P.S.
I'll sign most of my letters Zero.
Harry did just as she said, and burned the letter.
"Looks like you and I will be getting to know each other a bit better, eh Cerberus?" Harry said to the large bird.