A/N I do not own Harry Potter or any recognizable scenes or characters. I do however own my OC Aria Black. I AM REPOSTING THIS STORY TO CORRECT SOME GRAMTICAL ERRORS. I WILL BE DOING THIS FOR ALL THE ONES I HAVE WRITTEN SO FAR. I ALSO WILL BE FIXING SOME STORY ERRORS I MADE.

Trouble and Truth

My name is Jamie Eileen Potter. I was born July 31st, 1980 to Lily and James Potter. I didn't know anything else about them besides they died in a car crash when I was one and a half. I had long wavy black hair, green eyes and a lightning shape scar on my forehead. Although, I was peacefully asleep at the moment, not for long. There was a wrap on the door. It had been nearly ten years since my Aunt Petunia woke up to find a note and me on the front step. Aunt Petunia was a tall thin woman with a long neck, long blonde hair and a horsey face. Uncle Vernon was average height portly man with very little neck and a huge bushy mustache and brown hair. Dudley was average height and fat as a pig. He had blonde hair and Aunt Petunia often said he looked like a baby angel. I often said he looked like a pig in a wig.

"UP, UP!" Aunt Petunia screeched.

I had been having such a good dream. I felt angry tears run down my face. My father was alive and had come to rescue me. I wiped the tears away and sat up in my cupboard. I rubbed sleep from my startling green eyes and ran my hands through my thick black hair. I quickly put on one of my cousin's old shirts and shorts held up by some rope. They were huge on me. I was very tall and thin practically skin and bones. I was used to skipping meals because often for no other reason than Uncle Vernon was in a bad mood and I was often locked in my cupboard without food. Luckily, I could get food at school. Everyone made fun of my clothes the fact that I had no family. They made fun of my untidy hair. I had only a comb, my cousin's old clothes, and a toothbrush. I exited the cupboard and went into the kitchen where I would be expected to cook breakfast. I never knew why my Aunt, Uncle and cousin hated me. The cause didn't matter the result did. It hurt that I had no one. Sometimes I believed there was something wrong with me. It was hard not to. I never let myself believe that for long though. I did nothing to them to warrant their treatment of me. It wasn't fair to dislike me because of my parents. I assumed that was why. The way they never talked about them and grew very angry when I asked about them. I sighed as I walked into the kitchen.

"The bacon is in the frying pan. Don't you dare let it burn! I want everything perfect for my Duders birthday." She quipped.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia." I said as I walked over to the pan.

Just as I was finishing breakfast I heard Aunt Petunia squeal. "Here is the birthday boy!"

She led him over to the table. Uncle Vernon wished Dudley a happy birthday. Aunt Petunia snapped. "Hurry up you."

You, girl, freak all summed up how I was addressed. Sometimes I almost forgot I had a name. "Coming Aunt Petunia." I brought the food over hardly finding a place to set it with Dudley's mountain of presents. I grabbed the smallest portion for myself. Most of the time I wasn't even allowed at the table. From a young age, I learned be quiet, don't ask questions, don't admit I wasn't treated well, and most importantly do as I am told.

Dudley shoveled his food in his mouth. I paced mine I had to "Eat like a lady not the freak that I was." I hated Dudley. He was a spoiled bully. I was jealous of him though he had both his parents that loved him. He got away with everything. He had friends that admired him.

After he finished Dudley said. "How many presents are there?"

Uncle Vernon smiled. "Thirty-six counted them myself."

Dudley frowned I quickly grabbed my plate in case he flipped the table. "Last year I had thirty-seven!" he screeched.

Aunt Petunia knowing a Dudley tantrum was coming on said. "How about when we go out today we will get you two new presents?" Ah yes, the blessed day when I was allowed out of the house. Granted it was only to Ms. Figgs, a crazy old cat lady, but it was a nice reprieve from my cupboard or school.

Dudley scrunched up his face. "That makes thirty, thirty…." He was a moron. I bit back from shouting thirty-nine you idiot! He was spoiled and stupid. I never got one present let alone thirty-six. He never appreciated anything.

Aunt Petunia smiled indulgently. "Thirty-nine popkins."

"Oh." Dudley relaxed and so did Aunt Petunia.

Uncle Vernon chuckled. "Ickle tike wants his money's worth just like his father."

I was expected to stay and watch Dudley open all his presents then clean up after. I bit back a sigh. I never got presents or a birthday really. Dudley got a new computer, a racing bike. Why he wanted a racing bike was beyond me, he hated exercise unless it was punching someone. He got sixteen new computer games, a remote-control car and airplane. A gold wristwatch. As he finished unwrapping his presents the phone rang.

Aunt Petunia came back scowling. "She can't take her! This is a disaster! Ms. Figg fell and broke her leg."

I froze hardly daring to breath. Uncle Vernon said. "What about your friend Yevan?"

Aunt Petunia still scowling retorted. "She is in New Yorker."

Uncle Vernon said. "We could phone Marge."

Aunt Petunia scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous Vernon she hates the girl."

I spoke quietly. "You could just leave me here."

Uncle Vernon snapped. "And come home to the house blown up absolutely not."

Aunt Petunia said. "How about we leave her in the car?"

Uncle Vernon frowned. "That car is new. She is not staying in there alone."

Dudley started to scrunch his face up like he was going to cry. He didn't ever really cry any more, but he knew if he scrunched of his face and acted it he would get his way. He fake cried. "I I I don't wwant her to come. She always spoils everything."

I rolled my eyes annoyed. Aunt Petunia wrapped Dudley in a hug. "Don't worry Diddy Dums mommy won't let her ruin your special day." He smirked at me between his mother's arms. I stuck my tongue out at him.

A knock at the door made everyone freeze. "Oh, they are here!" She exclaimed as she raced to the door. Dudley stopped fake crying at once.

I cleaned the kitchen while everyone else talked and prepared to leave. Uncle Vernon came in as I was finishing. "You best be on your best behavior. I am warning you no funny business."

"Yes sir." I replied and followed him to the car. It did no good to argue he wouldn't believe me.

I sat in the back with Piers Porcus and Dudley. We arrived at the zoo, and I was so excited. I made a vow this time to behave myself. Not that I ever tried to make weird stuff happen it just did. Like when Dudley and his gang were chasing me and I ended up on the roof of the school. There was the time I accidently turned my teachers wig blue. There was also the time I made my hair grow back. Aunt Petunia tired of my unruly hair cut it as short as a boy's. I never cared much about my appearance but I never felt so ugly. The next morning it was back to normal.

We walked through the zoo and saw so many interesting animals. Piers and Dudley got ice cream. I was having the best day of my life. When Dudley and Piers began getting bored with the animals I stayed a little behind the family. I didn't want Dudley and Piers to go back to their favorite sport of Jamie hunting. We ate lunch in one of the zoo's restaurants. Then went to the reptile house after lunch and it was amazing. I felt right at home amongst the creatures. We came across a big boa constrictor.

Dudley pushed his face against the glass and whined to his father. "Make it move."

Uncle Vernon tapped on the glass. The snake gave no response. "Do it again." Dudley whined. He did and again louder and the snake gave no response.

Dudley walked off whining. "This is booorrriing."

I turned to the glass. I smiled at the snake. "You must get that all the time. Sorry about him. They don't understand what it's like being locked away." The snake lifted its head.

"You're a speaker. That's unusual." The snake hissed.

"What does that mean I am a speaker?" I asked.

"Well, you speak snake language."

"Oh." I said in surprise. I furrowed my brow. I really was a freak. I was excited though that I could have someone to talk to. Maybe I could find snakes at home to talk to.

Then I noticed the plaque next to the cage. Native to Brazil. "Is it nice there?"

The snake jabbed its tail at the sign for me to read on. Bred in captivity. "Oh, I was taken from my family to."

Just then Piers screeched. "Come, quickly! Dudley! You won't believe what this snake is doing!"

Dudley hurried over and shoved me to the ground. One minute he was face against the glass the next the glass was gone and he fell into the water. The snake slithered out of the now non-existing glass. The snake looked at me as it passed. "Thanks amigo, Brazil here I come!" Everyone screamed and ran. Dudley was climbing out of the water absolutely terrified.

"It almost killed me!" He exclaimed as his sobbing mother hugged him.

After tea with the zoo curator who profusely apologized and was utterly perplexed as to how the glass vanished. It was tense car ride. Dudley and Piers kept dramatizing the whole thing. By the time, they finished Dudley swore it tried to eat him. Piers swore it nearly bit his leg off. I sighed and rolled my eyes. They were so dramatic.

I stiffened when Piers said the damning words. "Jamie was talking to it, weren't you?"

I almost jumped out of the car, but I simply kept silent. If Iied it would just make it worse. As soon as we got home and Dudley got showered and dried off. I went to my cupboard and waited. I let a few tears escape I knew what coming as soon as Piers left. Fighting back only made it worse so I simply waited. Piers mother came to pick him up.

As soon as the door was shut and they were safely away my Uncle Vernon shouted. "Freak! How dare you! I warned you!" He thundered towards my cupboard and yanked me out by my hair. He threw me onto the hallway floor I heard him slide his belt out. I tried to relax tensing made it worse. Tears streamed down my face. I wished for death. Maybe he would finally kill me this time. A scream broke my lips as felt him stand on my legs. Then another scream as the first slap of the belt made my back arch in protest. By the time, he threw me back into the cupboard my shirt was ripped and my back bloody. I cried myself to sleep fighting the nausea that wanted to overwhelm me. I awoke the next morning to cook breakfast. I took a piece of toast and went back to my cupboard to eat. It was hard to walk my legs were bruised and swollen. I went up the bathroom and stripped and got in the tub. I took the piece of shirt and cleaned my wounds the best I could. I winced in pain. I got out and wrapped a towel around me. I looked at my back in the mirror it was covered in welts and cuts. I sighed and put medicine on it. One day I would be out of here. One day I would make sure no one laid a hand on me again.

I dressed and went downstairs and heard Uncle Vernon yell. "Get the mail and bring it here girl." I got the mail and brought it to him.

As I was leaving Aunt Petunia said. "You are going to weed the garden, mow the lawn, and wash the car. No meals until you are done. Now get to work."

"Yes, Aunt Petunia." I got started. It was nearly dark by the time I finished my body ached. My wounds stung from the sweat and the crouching position I had to weed in. I was called in by Aunt Petunia who had paper where I had to walk.

She said. "Quickly get cleaned up then eat and straight to your cupboard." I went upstairs and got cleaned up. I went to the kitchen to find cheese and two slices of bread. I ate my pitiful supper and went to bed.

By the time I was allowed any leisure time out of my cupboard it was summer. Dudley had already broken most of his presents. Since it was summer I spent as much time as possible out of the house. I ate what little I was allowed then did chores and left to the park. I spent most of my days at the park or wandering the neighborhood.

I liked to swing and jump off at the height of the ark. It felt like flying. Playing in the park I could pretend I had a family waiting at home. I imagined a black-haired man coming to get me. A woman that looked kind of like aunt petunia with green eyes beaming at me. A little boy with black hair and our father's eyes tugging on my arm.

As I approached the house that evening I froze there was a brown owl on the roof staring at me. A letter addressed in green ink clasped in its beak. it hooted then flew over to me and landed on my shoulder. I reached up and took the letter from it and it flew off. Ms. Jamie Snape cupboard under the stairs. I went back to my cupboard excited to see who was writing to me and why they had addressed me as Jamie Snape. I turned on the light in my cupboard and opened the letter.

Dear Ms. Snape,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is list of school things you will need and a ticket for the train. The Hogwarts Express will leave at eleven AM on the morning of September first. The train will leave from Kingscross station in London from Platform nine and three-quarters. Please note first years are NOT allowed broomsticks. Students may bring a familiar limited to cats, rats, toads, or owls. See you in September. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Sincerely,

Deputy Head Mistress

Minerva McGonagall

I stared open mouthed at the letter. Me a witch, that's what made me different magic. Finally, it all made sense. I smiled I wasn't a freak I just belonged to a different world. My smile quickly faded. School supply list… how was I going to afford that? I placed the letter and envelope under my cot along with the bloody t-shirt. I laid on my cot and stared at the ceiling. I drifted off to sleep. I awoke the next morning and reached under my cot pulled out the letter I smiled. I would go to Hogwarts and maybe a witch or wizard would take me in. I idly wondered if my parents had known magic. Maybe that's why Aunt Petunia disliked my mother. Then anger overcame me, they knew! If she was a witch, they had to of known! Letter in hand I stomped into the kitchen. Uncle Vernon was reading the paper. Aunt Petunia was getting the things out I would cook for breakfast. I walked up to the counter and slammed the letter down in front of her.

I glared angrily at her. "Did you know? Is that why you have always treated me the way you have? Was my mum like me too?"

She paled looking at the letter. "VERNON. OH MY, VERNON!"

He looked up in alarm and went over to her. He paled as he read the letter. "I asked you a question!" I shrieked at Aunt Petunia. "DID YOU KNOW!" I felt a breeze and tried to calm myself before I lost control.

She scowled at me. "Knew of course I knew. My dratted sister being what she was. Went off to school and came home every summer with toad spawn and hanging out with that Snape boy. Then she met Potter and married him. Then if you will they went and got themselves blown up. We got landed with you. My parents were so proud to have a witch in the family. It was Lily this and Lily that. Only I saw her for what she really was a FREAK!" She was breathing heavily very red-faced and angry.

"You told me they died in a car crash!" I said angrily.

"We never intended you to know about magic." She snapped.

Uncle Vernon spoke then. "We swore when we took you in that we would stamp that rubbish out. You are not going to that school. We won't have one in the house!" He started turning purple.

"You can't stamp it out! I am going to that school and you can't stop me!" I yelled angrily.

Uncle Vernon sneered. "Oh yea, how do you expect to pay for all your supplies? Tuition? You have no money and no one that will pay for you."

"I will figure it out. Mark my words I will." I said determined. If I went to this school maybe I could escape the Dursleys forever.

Aunt Petunia snapped. "You will go to Stonewell high and be grateful. Now get back into your cupboard you ungrateful brat!"

I froze for a second then remembered one name that had caught my attention. "Who is Snape?"

Aunt Petunia frowned. "Severus Snape, a boy we grew up with. He was weird even for your lot. He followed Lily around like a puppy. Why?"

I scrunched my face up. My heart pounding. "No reason." Maybe he would help me if he knew my mum. Maybe he would take me in.

Aunt Petunia looked angry. "Do you know how to reach him?" I asked.

"No, why would I?" She snapped.

I sighed. "Well, I will find a way."

I grabbed my letter not trusting them not to burn it I stormed back to my cupboard and stuffed it back under my cot. I knew better than to even attempt to leave my cupboard unless I had to go to the bathroom. I used that time to plan. If I did some yard work or gardening for others claiming to just trying to earn a little extra money I doubted I could get enough for supplies not to mention tuition, I wouldn't even know where to go. If I at least made it to Hogwarts surely someone could help me. I spent every day for a month saving up and doing anything I could. I managed to get enough money for the bus and some supplies. I decided that since I had some money for supplies I would try to wheedle out of Aunt Petunia where to go to get school supplies.

After I made breakfast I asked. "Aunt Petunia, you said mum was like me. When she went to school where did she get her supplies?"

"London some grubby nasty pub. It was on Manor Rd. The Leaky Cauldron freak place. In the back, there was brick wall. The man that went with us. Some ministry official tapped the brick wall to open it. Behind the wall was an ally filled with freak shops. Doesn't matter though because you have no money and no way to get there." She scowled.

I forced myself to frown and added a sigh. "I know just curious."

She scowled. "It does no good to be curious."

I looked up and saw the pain in her eyes. I suddenly realized she was jealous. She had been jealous of my mother and the fact she couldn't be a part of that world. I composed myself.

"You are right." I finished cleaning and went back to my cupboard.

It was nearly the end of July. I decided that as a birthday present to myself I would go to London on my birthday. I smiled at the thought and fell asleep. I kept working and saving and soon it was my birthday. I awoke and made breakfast as usual the yard was done and the car clean. I had made sure I could leave after breakfast. I hid the list and the money in my pockets. I walked to the bus station and took the bus to London. I purchased a map of the area and headed to the Leaky Cauldron. I found the pub and walked in.

The bar man looked at me and nearly dropped the glass he was cleaning. "Can it be? Oh my, Merlin! It is Jamie Potter!" Everyone went silent and stared at me.

I was suddenly surrounded by people clambering to shake my hand. I was shocked and a little frightened by all the attention. I noticed a man with black hair and a hook nose eyeing me. When our eyes met, his mouth dropped open then he composed himself. There was a funny looking man in a purple turban there two.

The barman raced around the bar and made the group disperse. "Nice to meet you Ms. Potter. I am Tom."

I smiled and blushed. "Hello, Tom nice to meet you."

The bar keep replied. "Is there any way I can assist you?"

It was hard to focus with everyone staring. "Um, could you please show me how to get into the Ally? I need to go school shopping."

"It would be my honor Ms. Potter. Follow me." He led the way out the back into a bricked garden area.

He pulled out a stick that I realized must be his wand. He tapped the bricks and the wall opened into an archway.

I smiled and said. "Thank you!" I then took my first steps into the wizarding world. No longer a freak, but someone who belonged. I had never been happier.

"I don't mean to pry but since you haven't been here before do you have money?" Tom asked.

I smiled and pulled out the money I had worked so hard for. He smiled back. "You will need to make Gringots Bank your first stop. They can exchange that muggle money for gold."
I frowned. "Muggle?"

He smiled and chuckled. "Non-magic folk."

"Oh, well thank you again!" I smiled at him and started down the Ally.