Note: the characters, settings, and plot from the seven-book Harry Potter canon belong to J.K. Rowling, whom I thank for permitting facfics inspired by her work. The new characters and plot in this book belong to me. At least the initial chapters of this book should be suitable for all age groups. If this changes, I will re-rate and post a warning at the first more-adult chapter. This book is totally unrelated to my Harry Potter Finally Graduates series.
EMAKO, THE RED-HEADED TWIN (GIRL)
Chapter One – From Minor Acts of Defiance
"There is no need for you to worry. Harry is with his aunt. Albus says he is safe, at least until he comes to Hogwarts. I saw him delivered with my own eyes," Minerva McGonagall informed her colleague, Sybil Trelawney.
"But what about his twin? The little girl – where is she, is she safe?"
"She was at St. Mungo's when the attack happened. Mumps – that can be very dangerous in a Muggle household. Albus said that the aunt was likely to reject Harry if his twin brought mumps into the household. Vernon has apparently never had the mumps."
"I don't see how Headmaster Dumbledore could possibly know that about Vernon," Sybil complained. "I gave him an explicit prophecy about Harry. I could only tell him that I believed from my vision that Emako, that's the twin's name, is also in some way important to our battle against Voldemort. Dumbledore has ignored that vision. I feel in my bones that my vision is valid."
"Imprecise prophecies are notoriously unreliable."
"But the thought of her importance was so very clear. I just know I am not mistaken. I don't even remember the Harry prophecy, but Emako's importance is emblazoned upon my mind. I talked at great length about this to Albus. I'm convinced that he wants Harry to grow up as alone and isolated as possible. He doesn't want Emako to be with him. Separating twins, even after only a year together – that is unspeakably cruel. I won't have it! I'm certain that Albus will spirit the girl away from St. Mungo's and hope she grows up as an anonymous Muggle. Probably in some sordid orphanage – the quality establishments ask questions."
"Albus has thought at great length about Harry. It is important to trust him and follow his lead. We've accepted his leadership of the Order. It is dangerous to go against him on something he regards as so important to defeating Voldemort. Albus will see that as treason. Are you absolutely certain that you are right?"
"I feel it deep in my bones. I am not wrong about this. I cannot abide cruelty to young children. How could I call myself a Hogwarts professor if I allowed an almost certainly magical child to be thrown away, just because of the headmaster's whim, based upon no evidence, whatsoever. It is my duty to act. With or without your help, I will steal Emako from St. Mungo's and take her to the aunt as soon as we know she's healthy. I'm certain the healers have already fixed her. I must act before dinner. Albus will move quickly."
"Okay, I'm in. It is on our heads if Harry fails to stop Voldemort, but I also cannot allow two twins to be forcibly separated, based on nothing more than Albus's hunch," Professor McGonagall agreed.
The break-in and kidnapping – that is what it legally was – were successful and the two Witches were not detected. The girl was healthy. They rushed her to the Dursley's house and rang the bell.
"The twin must live with Harry," Professor Trelawney told Petunia and repeated the demand when Vernon came to check on them. "I will watch over both children. If they come to any harm, I know upon whom my vengeance must be directed."
Vernon opened his mouth to complain, but Professor Trelawney had drawn her wand. She only used it to add her favorite protective charms to the property, starting at the door and working outward to the middle of the street.
At breakfast, Headmaster Dumbledore cast a long glance at Professor McGonagall, who wilted not one bit under that stare. Nor did she wilt when she found herself unable to get up from table, because the headmaster was standing directly behind her chair.
"You trust Sybil's judgement more than mine? I fear that you have destroyed our only hope of stopping Voldemort."
"If it has come to the point where we hide behind and sacrifice infants, then we have already lost. I have fought Voldemort and IF he is still alive, a possibility I have grown less sure of with each passing year, I shall not flinch from fighting him again. It is monstrous to deliberately sacrifice a child. Is this what we have become?"