By: Neko-chan
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.....if I did, I'd be a millionaire! *grins* So......don't try to sue me. If you do, all I'd be able to do is turn my pockets inside out. If you want your lint collection to suddenly grow, then I suggest you sue me. If not....don't. Hope ya like the fic! Oh, and if you look closely, you can see some anime references. *grins* *glomps Hee-chan from GW*
It was Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As usual, it started out normally. He, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at the Gryffindor table, surrounded by their friends and fellow year mates. The Welcoming Feast was going to start soon, once the first years had finished trying on the Sorting Hat. And that is where our story begins.
~*~
"Salva, Arica!" Professor McGonagall barked, her glasses twinkling under the light given off by the enchanted ceiling. The sky was clear, and the stars seemed to wink at Harry in an amused sort of way. Professor McGonagall had gone through the whole list, and was now down to the last five students.
A small girl with short black hair and icy blue eyes stepped out of the line, and with an audible gulp, she put the ratty Sorting Hat on her small head. It was so big on her, that it hung comically down to her ears. A few students from Slytherin snickered, one of them being Draco Malfoy. There was silence for a moment; then........
"GRYFFINDOR!!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined in the cheers and catcalls that the Gryffindor students made as Arica took off the Sorting Hat and quickly walked over to their table. Giving a relieved sigh, she sat in a seat several chairs down from the group. Harry gave her an encouraging smile, and she blushed dark red.
Finally, it was down to the last student (Troy, Duncan went into Slytherin; Yuy, Odin went into Gryffindor; and Zephiroth, Malcolm went into Hufflepuff). But there was a problem....there was no last student. Professor McGonagall stared expectantly at the area in front of her, as if waiting for someone to come. Plus too, the food hadn't appeared on the students' golden plates.
Ron gave a frustrated sigh. "Why isn't the food appearing on the plates? I'm so hungry, I could eat a hippogriff!" He poked at his plate, secretly hoping that the food would appear if he did. But no such luck. The plate stayed empty. His stomach growling, he began to pound his head against the table.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, looking disapprovingly at Harry's best friend. "Stop that, you'll put a dent in the plate!" With one more patronizing look, she poked him with her wand. Little electric sparks flew out and shocked the red-headed boy. Ron yelped, his red hair now going every which way.
All throughout the room, sounds of discontent could be heard from the other students. Stomachs growling, complaints, and muttered curses were uttered by all, even the meekest of the students. All were hungry from their train ride, and for some strange reason, the Sorting of the Houses wasn't done, even though there were no more students! The line was empty! And, to make matters worse, no food appeared on their plates!
Hearing some of the things coming from the students, Professor McGonagall turned around and gave them a sharp look. At her look, most of the students instantly silenced. But there was still a few complainers. Then, quietly, Professor McGonagall said, "Potter, Bryanna." Instant silence.
As if shy, a figure walked out of the shadows slowly, her feet making no sound whatsoever on the cold stone floor. When she stepped through the light, the students could see that she had red-orange hair that came to her waist. It was wavy, and clearly unruly. When she looked up, she stared out at the different Houses, as if silently assessing them. When her gaze reached Gryffindor, Harry felt his gaze lock with hers.
And, for the first time in fifteen years, green met gray. A spark of recognition flared between them, and they stared at each other.
*~Flash~*
Harry stared at his little sister...his twin. She giggled up at him and offered half of the cookie that she was eating. "'Ookie?" she asked, grinning at him. Harry grinned back and took the offered cookie. "'Arry!" Bryanna giggled, pointing at him. Instantly, his hair turned bright pink and his nose grew several inches longer.
A few tears leaked out from his eyes as he surveyed her damage. Then, pouting and glaring at her, he pointed at said, "'Anna!"
Immediately, her ears became pointed and her hair turned neon green. She stared at him in shock for a minute; then she began to giggle. Harry smiled; then he, too, began to laugh. Lily Potter found them five minutes later, nibbling on chocolate chip cookies and giggling every so often. And, for some reason, their hair color was different, Harry's nose was longer, and Bryanna's ears were pointed. Lily blinked several times, then quietly left the room.
*~Flash~*
As the two siblings stared at each other, they slowly turned white, and Harry knew that they were remembering the same memories. Memories of a childhood friend that they had no recollection of previously. Until now. Until they finally met face to face after fifteen long years.
"Potter, Bryanna!" Professor McGonagall snapped, her eyes narrowing. "It's your turn to try the Sorting Hat on. So please come here and sit on the stool."
Bryanna blinked several times, then shook her head gently, as if to rid herself of the memories that came faster and faster to her. Tearing her gaze away from Harry's, she stepped forward and did as the Professor bid, the students and staff watching her closely. All except Professor Dumbledore. He had an extremely amused expression on his face.
Ignoring her fellow students' gazes, especially Harry's, Bryanna slowly put on the Sorting Hat and waited for whatever was to come next. Her waiting was not in vane.
"Ah....another Potter, I see..." a small voice said near her ear. "I've been wondering when another would show up.....Now, let's see.....what House should I place you in? Hmmm..... Ravenclaw would be very nice, don't you think? Or maybe even Hufflepuff......However, Slytherin would develop your skills and make you stronger......Hmmmm......you're a tough one, aren't you? My, my, my. Or, I could always place you in Gryffindor, with your brother. Ah....decisions, decisions......."
While the Sorting Hat mused to itself, the whole school sat silent, expectant. And all hoped that the new girl would be in their House. But the Hat's reply shocked everyone, except for Professor Dumbledore.
"I.....I don't know....." the Sorting Hat said sheepishly, surprise in it's voice. "I don't know what House to place her in......"
Exclamations of shock and dismay rang throughout the Hall as students and staff stared at Bryanna. Calmly, she took the Sorting Hat off of her head and stood up. For a moment, her gaze caught that of Harry's. But she managed to break it and turned towards Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore stared at her kindly, his blue eyes crinkling in amusement.
"Sir?" Bryanna asked nervously, avoiding everyone else's gaze.
Professor Dumbledore heaved a great sigh. He smiled at her soflty, her blue eyes kind. "Sit with the Gryffindors for the Welcoming Feast. Once it's over, I want you and your older brother to come with me to my office."
Bryanna inclined her head, accepting the Headmaster's wishes. Then, taking a deep gulp of air, she looked out over the sea of students, spotting her brother quickly. Here I go.....into the belly of the beast, she thought and began to walk off of the platform.