Disclaimer: Not mine at all.

Harry took in a deep gasp of air as he and Dumbeldore Apparated in front of a dreary looking house. He was decidedly exhausted now, after the many Apparation trips he had just taken with Dumbledore. This stop meant he'd have to go through it all over again just to get to the Burrow. And just when he had been hoping that Slughorn was the last.

"Just one more quick stop, Harry," Dumbledore said, as if he had read Harry's thoughts. "And then we can get you settled in with the Weasleys."

Moving forward quickly, Dumbledore gave the door a hearty knock, a large smile on his face. A plump woman opened the door, her cheery disposition a great contrast to the drab house. She kind of remind Harry of someone like Mrs. Weasley.

"Albus darling!" The lady exclaimed. Dumbledore bent low so that the woman could kiss him lightly on the cheek. "What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?"

"A personal visit, my dear Florene," Dumbledore said. "And also a spot of business."

"Oh well, she'll be pleased to see you anyway. Oh! Where are my manners? Come in, come in!"

The house, Harry found, proved to be a lot more warmer, bigger, and louder than he had previously thought. Children of all ages ran around laughing and playing. After a quick count, Harry determined that there were at least thirteen other people in the room besides him, Dumbeldore, and Florene, all of them ranging from age three to age twelve.

"We've just finished having dinner I'm afraid," Florene said over the noise. "Can I get you some tea or anything?"

"I'm afraid we won't be staying very long," Dumbeldore replied. "I must get young Harry to his friend's house."

"My stars! Harry Potter! Oh my, it's a pleasure to meet you, dear!"

"Nice to meet you too," Harry responded politely.

"If you'll excuse us Florene," Dumbledore said, "we have much business to carry out."

"Of course, of course. She'll be just upstairs in her room. I daresay you'll get much privacy down here. Harry, dear, if you get hungry, you be sure to come down here, alright?"

"Yes ma'am." Gratefully, Harry followed Dumbledore up the twisting stairs of the house into silence. "Um, Professor, sir, I'm not quite understanding what's going on?"

Dumbledore sighed. "My father had a sibling, a brother, though they hardly kept in contact because of petty personal reasons, but that is beside the matter. My uncle lived on, free of Grindelwald's terror and of Voldemort's reign, marrying and producing many offspring. Of course, he is no longer with us and neither are many of his children or grandchildren or great grandchildren save one, the young lady I'm about to introduce to you. Her parents, unfortunately, were not so fortunate as to escape Voldemort or his Death Eaters the first time around. She was put into the care of a family friend, but certain – circumstances brought her here."

"Circumstances?" Harry asked. "What kind of circumstances?"

Dumbledore gave him a significant look. "The family friend was the circumstance."

"Why hasn't she been at Hogwarts? Why hasn't she been with you? Wouldn't she have been safer with you?"

"The man had no clue of her whereabouts. She has been safe here with Florene and I come here often with Minerva and we teach her what she needs to know, but now. . . ." Dumbledore paused, giving Harry a small smile. "I believe this will be a good year for her to spend with family and some new friends."

They reached the top landing of the stairs where a door waited slightly open. Dumbledore knocked, that large smile on his face again.

"Come in," someone called from inside.

Harry wasn't sure what he had expected upon entering that room. Of course Dumbledore had referred to the girl as 'young' but Dumbledore referred to everyone as young. But, still, Harry was surprised to see the girl who sat on the windowsill of her room writing in a notebook. She couldn't have been but the same age as him, silky black hair curling at the ends just at her shoulders. She placed her notebook down in front of her, taking a moment to blow her bangs from her face before she turned towards her visitors.

A large smile blossomed on her face, making her bright blue eyes sparkle. "Albie!" she cried, hopping up and throwing her arms around the old man.

"Albie?" Harry muttered to himself, an amused smile on his face.

"My dear child!" Dumbledore said with a laugh as he hugged the girl. "How are you feeling today?"

"Fine," she said, looking over to Harry in surprise. "Albie, you've brought a visitor?"

"Oh where are my manners?" Dumbledore placed his hands on the girl's shoulders, pushing her forward. "Harry, this is Gael Dumbledore. Gael meet Harry Potter."

Gael's large eyes widened ever so slightly before she held out her hand. "Nice to finally meet you Harry."

Harry shook her hand. "Same to you."

"Darling I'm afraid we can't stay long," Dumbledore said, "but I wanted to discuss this upcoming Fall with you. Would you like to come to Hogwarts this year?"

Gael's eyes got really wide. "Do you mean it? Really?"

"Of course. That is, if you want to."

"I'd love to! Of course I want to come!"

"It's is settled then!" Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together. "We can get you settled and sorted as soon as the first comes. And I'm sure Harry wouldn't mind giving you a grand tour of Hogwarts, would you Harry?"

"No, it's fine," Harry said, smiling at Gael. He thought he might like her. She had a very happy and vague disposition about her, almost familiar, though Harry couldn't think of who she reminded him of. "It should be fun."

Gael smiled back. "Loads of fun."

A/N: So, new story. I hope you guys will enjoy this. I know it's not the best of first chapters but it'll get better. Thanks for waiting and I'll see you next chapter.