CHAPTER 1: COUSINS
Three black cloaked figures walked up the path from the village to the castle that was Hogwartz School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "It's been far too long since I have seen this castle" said one of the figures as the castle came into sight. "Did you really go to school hear mum" asked the second. "Yes dear I did go to school here with your aunt and uncle, I hope Harry is ok, Sirius was a great man it's a pity he had to die" said the woman. "Well if the papers are right then Josh and Harry are very much alike" said the third and shortest figure.
"Harry has more in common with my dad though, Brooke, I hope to hell that I get a chance to hurt that bastard" said Josh. "I'm sure you will get a chance to deal out damage to him, but I want you to know that even if I regret what he did to me I don't regret having you, I love you so much" said the older woman. "I love you too Josh and don't forget it" said Brooke. "I know luv, and I love both of you too, though the thought of Harry not having any family troubles me I want to get to know him and be for all intent and purpose his brother" replied Josh. "Don't worry hunny after I talk to the headmaster we will send a message to him and when the time comes move him into Potter Manor, after all it is his house" replied his mother and they all laughed. When they came to the gate the older woman sent a patronus in the shape of a fox up to the castle.
About fifteen minutes later a light came bouncing down the road. When it came to the gate it took the form of assistant headmistress Minerva McGonagall. "Who are you and what busyness do you have at this castle" said Minerva in a stern voice. "Please Minerva I've come to see Albus and announce my return to Brittan" as the woman said this she pulled off her hood reveling a woman in her late twenties to early thirties with auburn hair and brown eyes that sparkled in the light from the lamp. Minerva gasped, to say she was in shock was an understatement the woman in front of her had been presumed dead for fifteen years. "Nancy, is it really you" asked Minerva. "In the flesh professor" grinned Nancy. Yup that was Nancy alright just like James. "Well do come in, I do believe that Albus is in for a shock" said Minerva. Nancy's smile faded a bit "more than you think" she said. "What's wrong Nancy" inquired Minerva. "Let's go find Albus, I only want to say this once" Nancy replied.
The group walked through the castle to the gargoyle outside the head masters office, "milkeyway" said Minerva, and the statue leaped aside and they walked up the stairs and into the office. "Albus, it's Nancy Potter, she's back" announced Minerva pointing to the redhead woman. "Yes so it is, but who are the others" replied Albus. "They are my son and his girlfriend Albus" said Nancy. Nancy waved her hand at the other to and they slid off their hoods. The girl was about fifteen, red-haired, had hazel eyes, and was about 4'9". The boy was about sixteen, black untidy hair, red eyes, and was about 5'6". Albus gasped as he saw the boy, he looked so much like Harry, but also the resemblance to a sixteen year old Voldemort was undeniable.
"Who are you" asked Albus as he drew his wand and leveled it at the boy. "Joshua Riddle Potter" replied the boy. The headmasters eyes grew wide at the boy's middle name, "you look exactically like Voldemort when he was your age". "He should, seeing how Tom is his father" said Nancy with a sad expression, while Josh's face exploded into a look of pure rage and hate at the name. The headmaster fell back into his chair in shock "how" he asked. Josh took out his wand and conjured three comfortable chairs and sat down in one with his girlfriend sitting across his lap, "you might want to sit down for this professor" he said to Minerva. Minerva and Nancy both sat down.
"Tom raped me professor, and I only just managed not to get killed afterwards, Josh was born the same day Harry was at a muggle hospital in Ireland where I was hiding. After my brother and Lily went into hiding I decided to take Josh and leave England. We ended up in Phoenix, Arizona in America. We've been there ever since with no news of what was happening over here. When Brooke's family was killed by death eaters we decided to come back home to England, and since Brooke only had Josh here we brought her with us. When we got here we went to Potter Manor to find that my parents were both dead. We went info hunting and found out what's been going on and that Sirius had just died. Josh wanted to go straight to Harry, but I thought it better to get them signed into the school and look for a job first, as well as get your go ahead to see him as I believe he is under your protection" explained Nancy.
"You were right Nancy it was the right thing to do, though I'm not fully comfortable with him being Tom's son" said Albus. "Albus I may regret what Tom did to me but I will never regret having Josh" replied Nancy.
"Professor I have renounced my fathers name and I have no wish to go dark. I have a soul bond with this lovely witch in my lap and I have no desire to give that up. Plus Harry has no family and I intend to right that, I want to be his brother, professor, not his enemy, and not his cousin I want to be his brother. Even if we have different parents we are still Potters and we are family that makes us brothers in my eyes" said Josh. "Alright I'm convinced Mr. Potter, we will have you sorted at the ceremony" Said Dumbledore.
"Professor I have one request though it may be quite big" said Josh. "I'm intrigued what is your request Josh" asked Albus. "No matter what house Brooke and I are placed in, I request that Harry, Brooke, Harry's closest friends, and I be allowed to reside in the Chamber of Secrets" said Josh. Albus and Minerva sat there looking in shock at the request. "You are quite right that is a huge request, may I ask why" replied Albus. "Professor, Harry, his friends, Brooke and I have seen more of this war than the reestablished Order of the Phoenix, we need a place to train in, and research things that would not be taught to us in this school or maybe not taught to us at all so that me and Harry can kill my bastard of a father. As Harry, Brooke, and I are the only ones that can get into the Chamber it seems like the best place. Also it would be easier if we just lived in there to so that we don't have to deal with the curfew or the need to hide from our other house mates" explained Josh. "Yes you pose a good point, if you and she are parselmouths then you are right, you two and Harry are the only students that can get in. As I can get in using Fawks then yes, you Harry and his friends can use the chamber" replied Albus.
"Thank you I'm going to go send a letter to Harry telling him I will meet him on our birthday. I assume that you want us to have guards" seeing Albus nod he continued "then Tonks, Bill, and Charlie will do if they are around."
"Yes they will be available, but may I ask as to why these certain people" ask Albus. "They will have less reaction if we do any thing like get piercings or tattoos like the older members" replied Josh as he and Brooke rose and walked to the door. "Oh, one more thing before I go, I need Harry's sword so that I can return it to him" Josh said as he turned around at the door and pointed to the sword of Gryffindor. "I'm sorry but that belongs to the school" said Albus. Josh's eyes burned with fire as he reached over his shoulder and drew an elegant blade that looked exactically like the sword of Gryffindor except that instead of rubies the gems were emeralds. As Josh held the blade infront of his face flat side out so they could read the letters on the blade Salazar Slytherin was what was written down the blade and Minerva and Albus gasped.
"Now do you doubt that the Hair of Gryffindor deserves to wield a blade that is rightfully his" asked Josh in a cold voice that made the headmaster pale slightly. "Harry and I are the Hairs of both Salazar and Godric, as Salazar's blade came to me, I believe that since the sword is in this room is that Godric's blade went to Harry, thus sealing the too families in brother hood not fighting" said Josh still in the cold menacing voice "now you will give me the blade to give to Harry or I will take it any way." At Albus' nod Josh sheathed his sword and walked over to Godric's blade, picked it up and sheathed it in the matching sheath on his back.
"Thank you professor ill go send my letter and begin work on my new quarters" nodding to each of the adults in the room he inter twined his fingers with Brooke's and walked out the door leaving a dead silence in his wake.
"He certainly is very powerful" said Minerva. "Josh and Harry are both equal in power, I think that Josh, Brooke, Harry and his friends will be as strong as me by new years" said Albus. Both Minerva and Nancy looked at him in shock "are they really that strong" they said together. "Yes there is no doubt, now Nancy you said something about a job" inquired Dumbledore. "Yes I heard that you are having a hard time trying to find a DADA teacher, I would like to apply for the job" Nancy replied. "Hogwartz would love to have you Nancy, although if Harry keeps the D.A. going this year he might up stage you. Every student that he taught in it got an E or better in DADA while all the others got the lower grades. Reports are Harry scored the highest marks ever in DADA on his OWLs, though it looks like Josh just missed Harry's score by four or five points" said Albus with a smile.
Nancy was floored "Harry taught a DADA club illegally and the club did better than the regular students" she asked. Albus then explained the situation of the last year, "now I can see why they did better but that much better Harry must be one hell of a teacher" said Nancy. "In that subject, it helps to have dueled Voldemort and live, Harry did it at fourteen and again a couple weeks ago in the ministry though it was in the mind as Voldemort was trying to posses him" said Albus with a frown.
"Well then maybe the best thing to do is work some thing out with Harry and have him teach practical while I do the theory" suggested Nancy. "That is something I have never thought about, well we'll ask him when he comes back to the castle in a week, I'm sure he'll want to help set up the chamber so it will suit their needs" replied Albus.
"Welcome to the staff Nancy I'll show you to your rooms then" said Minerva. "Thank you Minerva I know the kids will want me out of their hair while they are working" said Nancy. "Oh Albus I'm going to file for custody of Harry and then emancipate him, he deserves to be off that leash and it will help him deal with the work he has to do I know it helped Josh and Brooke" said Nancy as she rose to follow Minerva. "One more thing I can keep an eye on them too if you want, when Tom raped and impregnated me I became a parselmouth". "Ok Nancy, have a good night" replied Albus as she walked out.
Albus went into deep thought as to how much this was going to help, for it seemed that all this was good and not one bad thing about it except that the children will be in the Chamber of Secretes, but it is high time that it was put to a good use and this was one. "This is going to an interesting year" he said to him self. He got up and walked over to the fire place, he threw powder into the fire and said "12 Grimauld place" and stuck his head in the fire.
Tonks was sitting at the table "hello Tonks having a good evening" inquired the headmaster. Tonks looked over "yes Professor it been quiet, what can I do for you" replied Tonks. "Harry is going to have a guest on his birthday, he is not a threat and has requested that you, Bill, and Charlie be the guards for the day as to the fact they might do things that the older adults would frown upon like tattoos and piercings" said Albus. Tonks smiled "I'm starting to like this guy who is he" she asked. "Harry's cousin Joshua Potter, Nancy's Kid, Requested they spend their birthday together" replied Albus. "I didn't think that Harry had any family other than the Durslys, and isn't that a little young to be wondering around on his own" said Tonks. "Nancy has been hiding for reasons she'll tell at the next meeting. She returned after Josh's soul mate's family was killed. And yes I would agree if not for the fact that Nancy had him and his soul mate emancipated and is filing for custody of Harry so she can do the same to him, I fully expect that it will be Nancy's birthday present to Harry as it should go through by then with me pushing it. Then Harry scored the highest ever on the DADA OWL and only beat Josh's score by a couple of points. They both have enough skill to keep them alive and the power to help bag any death eaters that may interrupt the day" said Albus. "Wow, they gotta be something to watch" said Tonks. "I would bet, but I hope that it isn't necessary" replied Albus. Tonks yawned "Well I'll inform Bill and Charlie, but right now I could use some sleep good night professor". "Yes good night Tonks" said Albus. With that he pulled his head out of the fire as Tonks left the kitchen.
Sun was shining through the window onto a boy laying on his bed in a small room at number 4 Privot drive. The boy was about a week away from being sixteen. He had untidy black hair, bright green eyes, round glasses, and a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead, and his name is Harry James Potter. Harry was sitting reading his books on defense that he had. Since he got home he had been reading all his books, and he found that some where along the way he had gained a photographic memory and could understand every thing once he read it.
Earlier he had taken out the Marauders Map and studied it until he knew how it was made and he could copy it. He planed on asking Snape if he could study his dark mark and create a giant map of Brittan and enchant it like the Marauders map. Then do something that would allow the tracking of Death Eaters. He finished his last book and then threw it into his trunk beside the bed; he was waiting for Hedwig to get back from the burrow.
For the last couple of day he had been having dreams of Ginny Weasley and come to the conclusion that he was developing feelings for her. He had seen the blush and look she had given him when her brother Ron subtlety insinuate that she go out with Harry before she said she was seeing Dean Thomas. So Harry had sent a letter via Hedwig asking if she was really seeing Dean or just trying to make Ron back off. He was now impatiently waiting for a response, he looked over to the clock and it read 9:00 'well at least now I can start my work out' he thought and put on his black running shorts, a blood red tank top, and a pair on new black and red Nike shox.
He had gone into London with Remus the second day back and while talking about Sirius' death, bought a whole wardrobe full of clothes in black, blood red, Avada Kadavra green, and white. He walked down the stairs and out the door to find his usual running partners. "Hey Tonks, hey Remus looks like a good morning, lets get going don't want to keep Kingsley waiting" he said. "Hey Harry, yea let's go he gets cranky if your late" said Remus and Tonks smiled and nodded, these runs were helping her with her clumsiness. He had set up the runs to start working out, he had Remus join him so he had a guard that liked to run, and Tonks had asked to come one day and had been with them from then on. They'd run five miles to the gym where Kingsley would coach him on the machines and train him in martial arts and the ways of the sword. The workouts were doing there job he was building muscle, gaining endurance and he was soaking up the martial arts and had taken to the sword like a natural master the first time he picked up the sword. While he was fighting with the swords he always had the urge to go and get the sword of Gryffindor from the headmaster, that desire confused him, he had drawn the blade from the hat four years ago and had never felt the pull that he was feeling.
They had been in the gym for an hour now and it was time to begin sword work. He walked over to the swords that Kingsley had conjured, when he picked one up it changed into a replica of the sword of Gryffindor. Harry looked at the sword and shrugged; he walked over and fell into stance in front of a stunned Kingsley. "What's up Shack, why do you seem stunned it's just a sword lets get this over with" Harry said to Kingsley knowing full well the reason that he was stunned and that the sword he was holding wasn't in any way just a sword.
That seemed to break Shack out of his daze; he nodded and fell into stance. Ten minutes later Shack's blade was stuck up to it's hilt and the point of Harry's resting under Shack's chin. "Wow that was fast" said a clearly stunned Harry, this was the first time he had beat Shack and to beat him that fast was amazing. They moved on to the martial arts and in another seven minutes Shack was on his back with Harry's knee at his neck. "Um I guess I pass" said Harry who was again stunned that he had floored Shack. Shack nodded, and they got up and went over to the sword in the wall, "well better get this out" said Shack as he grabbed the hilt and pulled. The sword didn't budge, "here let me try Shack" Harry grabbed the hilt and pulled the sword out of the wall."Well I guess the workouts have done their job, now I can just have fun doing it so I hope you don't think you're out of these matches Shack."
"Wouldn't dream of it H" replied Shacklebolt. "Alright, Tonks, Rem let's get back to the house, I want to see if Hedwig is back" said Harry. "Alright H, I'll see you tomorrow" said Shack. "Yea, later Shack" and with that Harry, Remus, and Tonks were running back towards Privot drive. When they got back he waved to Remus and Tonks, went into the house and up to his room to find a tired and faded looking Hedwig and a bright tropical bird that immediately screamed Sirius in Harry's mind. He walked over to Hedwig and the bird and took both letters and asked the tropical bird to wait, and it did.
He looked at Hedwig and took in her condition, "hey girl you alright", Hedwig hooted and nodded. "Alright would you be up to one more round trip to the Burrow I don't want to work you to death you're the only family I have" Harry said to Hedwig. Hedwig hooted, nodded and nip his fingers affectionately. Harry walked over with both letters and sat at his desk. He looked at the one from Ginny with trepidation. He looked at the other one and immediately recognized his godfather's handwriting. He opened the one from Sirius first as he was too chicken to read Ginny's.
Hey Pup,
Hey pup just writing to say that somehow I said no thank you to death and found my self on an island in the Caribbean. Could you please get a message to Dumbledore so he can get a portkey to me? The bird is my familier so it will listen to you and bring the message straight back to me. If you do this I should be back by your birthday.
Sirius
P.S. I gave you a 2 way mirror so you could talk to me before you left for school last year
Harry read this twice and then grabbed his headset comset he got from the order to keep in touch. "Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin apparate to my room NOW" he said into it, two minutes later there were two pops and they appeared. "What's wrong Harry" said Albus, "I'll let you decide" replied Harry and handed him the letter.
Albus read the letter passed it to Remus and sat on Harry's bed. Remus sat next to Albus after reading the letter, and looked at Harry "are you sure it's him" he asked. "No one else besides you two knows I had that mirror" replied Harry. Albus took a pen and a sheet of paper and wrote a note then took out and said "Portus" and the paper glowed blue. He attached the note to the bird and sent it on its way."Alright Harry if there's nothing else I need to get back to discussing the schedule with the new DADA teacher" said Albus. "You found one, who is it" asked Harry. "Can't tell you Harry it's a surprise" said Albus with a smile and his blue eyes twinkling. "Fine, alright you two get out of here I have a letter from a lovely redhead to read" said Harry grinning. The twinkling in Albus' eyes got brighter and his smile slid into a grin, Remus grinned as well "alright we'll let you get to Ginny's letter" said Remus and they apparated away. Harry picked up Ginny's letter and laid down on his bed. He opened the letter and read.
Dear Harry
My I didn't think you could be so straight forward. No I am not dating Dean why do you ask? And yes I was trying to make Ron back off, again why do you ask? Hedwig doesn't look to great is she ok"
Love Ginny
Harry Whooped, yes she's still single he thought. He got up and wrote a response to Ginny and gave it to Hedwig. "You sure you are up for this girl I really can't loose you it would break my heart" he said. Hedwig nipped his hand affectionately and hooted the affirmative and flew out the window.
Harry grabbed a book on werewolves from the stack of books he had bought and still had to read, because he spent the past weeks rereading his past school books, the ones from this year, and the ones he had acquired over the years. He was quite certain that he was way beyond NEWT level in all of the subjects, as he read a book he added it to a list that he would give to Dumbledore when school started and ask to take his NEWTs.
Ginny had been in some kind of daze since Harry's letter. She was nervous about what was happening. Right now she was in the kitchen getting a drink having just finished her run. She and Hermione had started running when Harry told them he was, they thought it was a good idea. Ron on the other hand had said it was a waste of the summer to run. They just left him, they also went over all their school books and reread them and their past ones when they found out they had photo memory's and could understand it once we read it. 'Mione and she often thought of all the work Harry must be doing and all he's learning. She was brought from her thoughts when she saw Hermione stroking Hedwig on her bed. "Hedwig you look awful, Harry shouldn't have sent you" Ginny said. Hedwig cocked her head to the side and hooted as it to say 'are you kidding me' and stick out her leg. Hermione took the letter and continued to stroke Hedwig as she read the address, she held it out to Ginny "it's for you" she said. Ginny took the letter with shaking hands, sat on the end of her bed and opened it.
Hey Gin
What's up? BTW its H now thanks to Shack, when he said It, it kinda just stuck. Well to answer your questions, Hedwig says she's fine but I agree she doesn't look good at all I don't know what I'd do with out her she's my only family. Now to your other ones, well I saw you look at me and blush after what Ron said on the Express before you said you were with Dean. I'm not as clueless as people think, I know you liked me but it was a crush on the Boy - Who – Lived, you didn't know the real me. Once you dropped the crush and got close to me I started to notice that you weren't just Ron's little sister. I'd also like to thank you because all I've been able to dream about is you therefore no nightmares. After a couple of days dreaming of you I figured that I was falling for you. I remembered the day on the train and sent the letter to see if my hunch was right. And I guess it was, I read your letter and was like 'Yes she's still single' well I sorta shouted it so ya. I bet you can guess that the purpose of this letter is to tell you I'm falling for you and ask you to be my girlfriend. What ever you feel send word back with Hedwig but this is the last time I'm letting her out so make sure everyone writes. Oh one more thing spread the word Sirius isn't dead the veil teleported him to some island in the Caribbean, Albus has already sent a portkey to get him back. Hope you guys started working out and running so you can join me at Hogwarts when we get back. Also keep up with your school work, I've completed all of this years work as well as next years and am asking Albus if I can take my NEWTs after my birthday. I'll see you at Hogwarts.
Lots of love H
P.S. none of your brothers can read what I wrote to you but you dad and every one else can, I don't want to die yet.
She reread the letter and then dropped it in shock, 'Harry is falling for me, he wants me to be his girlfriend, and he's going to take his NEWTs after his birthday that's like this Friday' she thought. Hermione saw Ginny's expression and then picked up the letter and read it. A tear slipped down her cheek as she read what Harry wrote to Ginny, and then her jaw dropped in shock as she read that he was taking his NEWTs after Friday and that Sirius was still alive. "Well I guess that answers all our questions" said a shell shocked Hermione and Ginny nodded with tears streaming down her cheeks. Ginny walked over to her desk and wrote a reply to Harry. Then she got up and walked to the door with Harry's letter in hand "come on 'Mione we need to pass on the news." Hermione nodded, got up and they walked out the door.
On the way down the stairs they stopped at Ron's and knocked. He opened the door and Ginny handed him the letter. He read it and gave it back "I'm goin to write my letter I'll come give it to you when I'm done" he said and Ginny nodded. They walked down the rest of the stairs and into the kitchen.
Molly Weasley and Arthur Weasley were talking while sitting at the table. They looked up and saw their daughter with tears flowing down her face and a smile on her face followed by Hermione with a shocked expression on her face. "Well now what has got you two looking like this" said Molly. Ginny walked over to her mother and gave her a hug, when she separated she handed the letter to her mother and hugged her dad. She separated and sat at the table with Hermione beside her as her parents read the letter. Molly looked up from the letter and said "I can see what has you two in this state" and Arthur nodded. "To think Harry wants to take his NEWT's two years early" said Hermione. "Yes I noticed you two studding extra and asked the headmaster, he gave me this list this morning, he said it would help. He also said that Harry told him to tell you to put whatever books you buy on his tab at Flourish and Blots" said Molly handing Hermione a list of book titles.
Ginny and Hermione's jaws dropped "mum this is the list of the books Harry has already read and it say he isn't even half way through the books he got, there has to be more than a hundred books on here. No wonder he wants to take his NEWTs early, school would be boring to him" said Ginny. Molly's jaw dropped in shock and that was not easy to make happen. "That boy has some drive I'll say" she said. "Well when he's the only one that can stop Tom, I'd say this is a pleasant turn of events it puts him on the frontline earlier" said Ginny. Hermione, Arthur, Molly and Ron who had heard from the door way stared at her in shock. "Shurely Dumble-". "no mum, Harry is the only one" interrupted Ginny. She then recited the prophecy to the room, "No wonder he was pissed at Dumbledore on the ride home, he must have told Harry after the ministry" said Ron. Ginny nodded and started to cry, "yes but it doesn't say who will win it only says one or the other will die" said a sobbing Ginny and she put her head down on her arms that were resting on the table and cried.
They all realized this and their eyes started to water. Ron walked over to his sister and said "don't worry we'll be with him and make sure he wins, and I sure and hell want to be ready so when you get the books order a set for me too. Also expect me to join your runs in the morning but only if you'll move it to 8:00 instead of 6:00."
"That's right Ginny we won't let you loose him after you just got him" said Hermione. Ron looked at Hermione "when did he ask her" he asked. Hermione looked at Molly "can I see the letter Molly." Molly warily gave Hermione the letter and looked at Ron for any sign of explosion but he only seemed curios. Hermione took out her wand and tapped the letter and said "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" and handed the letter to Ron. Ron watched as more writing appeared on the letter and read it. He started laughing "and I thought he didn't see it. Well I guess I was wrong, well Gin you got Harry now, make sure you wrap him around your finger and don't let him go he's a good man." His parents and Hermione were staring at him "what I was waiting to see if he acted on what we saw Ginny do when I insinuated that she go out with him. At least now I know the reason it took him so long he's been studying like hell, and before you ask yes I did know that Harry was starting to have feelings for Ginny he told me. Though it was a good idea to charm the letter anyway", with that said he rubbed Ginny's back once more then went out side to run for a little while. Ginny looked up with a look of pure shock on her face "well that was unexpected" she said and the others nodded.
Later that night Ginny, Hermione and Ron were in Ginny's room reading out of the books they got. Ginny gathered the letters and gave them to Hedwig "fly safe girl and I hope you get better your all he's got at the moment" Hedwig nipped her hand affectionately and flew out the window. Ginny picked her book back up and vowed to be ready to take her OWLs and NEWTs by the end of the summer. Hermione had borrowed Fred and George's owl and sent copies of the book list to Neville and Luna, along with instructions to put it on Harry's tab and their plans to take their OWLs and NEWTs before the summer was out.
Harry was sitting on his bed and had just put down a book on magical marks, now he knew how the dark mark was created, placed, and how to remove it. He also put the finishing touches on his Death Eater tracking charm for the maps of Hogwartz, the Ministry and all of Brittan.
Harry had taken up spell creation; he already created a charm that will destroy the dementors, and a ward of a similar nature for properties. He also created a shield charm so intricate it blocked the unforgivables, and through his knowledge of the unforgivables created a light magic counter part for each that concentrated on love and the desire to save lives not the hate or desire to kill of the original unforgivables. Healing charms were another thing that he did; he made one that could heal any injury.
Harry was using his new knack for potions and adding the last ingredient to the list that would form the cure to the werewolf curse when Hedwig flew through the window and fell onto the desk. Harry launched out of bed and went to her "Hedwig are you ok?" At the moment he touched her she burst into black flames and fell to ash. Harry took the letters from the pile and fell back onto his bead crying hysterically, he had just lost his only family.
Harry read the letters in a kind of daze, he was happy with the responses and even happier when Ginny said she loved him but nothing could shake him of the pain in his heart for Hedwig. A moment latter there was a flash of orange and white flames and at the end of Harry's bed sat Fawks and a black and white phoenix that harry didn't know. They both walked over and dropped their letters in his lap and with a flash of orange flame Fawks was gone.
"Harry, are you ok" came a voice in his head. Harry looked at the black phoenix, "how come I can talk to you" he asked. "You were my sisters familier, which means there is a kind of bond between us, also I am you cousins familier." "Huh Hedwig is your sister and what are you talking about I don't have a magical relative." "The letter will explain and yes Hedwig is my sister, I am Onix" "I'm sorry Onix, Hedwig just died" "No she didn't, by treating her as family and not a pet you freed the lock on her, when we were young we were locked in the bodies of two owls, you cousin unlocked me and you unlocked Hedwig. Just wait for the morning and you will see." "Ok" Harry said as he took the letter from Dumbledore and read it, he was shocked that he would let Hermione, Ron, And Neville take their NEWTs and Ginny and Luna take both their OWLs and their NEWTs before school started. That they were allowed to live in the castle was the biggest shock. He curiously picked up the other letter, opened it and read it.
Dear Harry,
Hey cuz I'm sure you are like WTF is going on. Well me and my mother, who is your fathers younger sister, have been living in America since before your parents were killed. We came back when the Death Eaters killed my soul mates family. I will be taking my NEWTs with you on Sunday while my soul mate takes her OWLs and NEWTs. I know your friends are taking them as well later in the summer. I'm part of the reason that you will be living in the castle though. I've set up a headquarters for us in the Camber of Secretes at the headmaster's permission. I hope this will be alright with your friends but it was just the most logical place to set up shop. Well I was hoping that we could spend Friday together. As it is both of ours sixteenth birthday I'd love to spend it with you and get to know you and you me. I've set up for the cool guard to be with us for the day. That being Tonks, Bill, and Charlie. I hope that we can throw out the technicality of cousins, and be brothers. My mother is fighting for custody of you even though Sirius is alive and I think I know why. Both Brooke and I have been emancipated and I think that she's going to do the same to you though I don't know. All I know is that Dumbledore is backing whatever it is and it should be done by your birthday. Send word back with Onix just tell him what your answer is and ill see you and Sirius on Friday.
You cousin, Joshua Riddle Potter
P.S. my middle name will be explained on Friday and please don't flip it wasn't intentional.
Harry couldn't wait, in the morning Hedwig would be back and she would be a phoenix and he had magical family that loved him even though they don't know him. He was also very curious about his cousin's middle name and the fact that he told him it wasn't intentional and not to flip. This lead Harry to one conclusion, Tom Riddle raped his aunt. "Yes Onix, I would love to see him and tell him I understand what happened to his mother." "Good night Harry and remember Hedwig will be with you in the morning, oh and the head master would like you to pass on the news about their tests to your friends." And with a burst of white flame Onix was gone. Harry laid back down in his bed and looked at the pile of ash that had been his owl and let one more tear slip before he drifted off to sleep.