Part 1 : Juniper McRiver is in Hogwarts

'' Gryffindor '' called the Sorting Hat. The Great Hall exploded with another wave of applause. A little girl with very untidy, wavy, reddish brown hair got off under the hat and walked towards to the last table happily and sat down between a black haired boy and a blonde girl. The sorting ceremony was going on, the feast hadn't begun yet. She started watching the Hall. The rest of the first years, most of whom looked a little scared, was lined up before the tables. Behind them was the teachers' table. An old, tall man who had half-moon shaped glasses on his crooked nose was sitting in the middle of the long, rectangular oak table. '' This must be Albus Dumbledore '' she thought to herself. Of course, she had had heard a lot about the most powerful, the brightest wizard of the century. She had always admired him, since her mother had started telling her about his adventures. She remembered the tired but patient smile that appeared on her face when she made her tell for the fifth time about his duel against Gellert Grindelwald… She had dozens of Dumbledore cards ( coming out of the Chocolate Frogs ) hung by thin, colourful ropes from the chandelier in her bedroom. So coming to Hogwarts meant for her, more than anything, meeting him at last. Being able to look directly at him gave her a great pleasure. But his eyes were concentrated on another point. She followed his looks and stopped on a first year boy. He was one of the most anxious looking ones waiting in the line. He was rather thin with black, untidy hair and round glasses. She wondered what made this boy so interresting that Dumbledore couldn't stop gazing at him.

'' Potter Harry '' called the tall, severe looking witch who introduced herself as Professor Minerva McGonnagal. Dumbledore and the whole Hall : almost every student, teacher and ghost were now looking at this little boy with amazement. She was growing curious, being sure that she had heard this name before, but just couldn't remember where or when. After a minute or so, the old Sorting Hat cried '' Gryffindor '' and there was yet another applause, but the biggest of all. Whole Gryffindor table was cheering, congratulating each other for having '' got '' the Potter boy. As he walked towards the table, she said '' Where ? Where did I hear his name before ? '' to herself.

'' Are you kidding ? You mean Harry Potter ? '' said the black haired boy, sitting on her left, looking unbeleivingly.

'' Oh, hello. '' she responded, feeling a little shy in front of this unexpected reaction. '' Is it so weird that I don't know him ? I mean i know that i heard his name before, i am pretty sure of it but still… Anyway, as you clearly know him, could you enlighten me ? ''

'' Wow.. How ?! I mean everyone… Even the 3 years old kids ! '' he continued ravingly, his light blue eyes wide open.

'' Well, will you stop this and tell me about him ? '' she said, angry against such despising talk.

'' Er..Sorry, i was rude. You must be a muggle-born, so it isn't such weird that you don't know about him. Still most of the muggle-borns hears about him this way or another before they come here as he is even mentioned in some of the school books. It is really rare to find anyone that has never heard of him.'' he said apologizingly and added '' By the way, my name is Morgan Leather. And you are… ? ''

'' I am Juniper . Juniper McRiver. And i am not a muggle-born, both my parents belong to the wizarding community. ''

'' Really ? Can't be ! Where were you living, on Jupiter ? How come they didn't tell you about him ? Or how come nobody told you about him ? ''

'' Well, actually, our house is on the edge of a forest where neither muggles nor wizards pass usually. Both my parents are researchers. They send articles on their discoveries to the magazines or sometimes guide interesting trips on command for adventurists, like to the land of giants etc. But they never take me to those places, they say it's too dangerous.'' added Juniper seeing the look of deep amazement on Morgan's face. '' So it is usually just the three of us, months pass and i don't see anyone from the wizarding world, except for a few old friends of my parents who call on twice a year or so. And when they visit us, it is mostly the subjects like the werewolves, giants, best trees for wand making etc. that are talked about. But i passed most of my time reading so i know quite a lot of things about our world. I just didn't hear much about recent wizarding news. Dad always told me that i would be able to talk and hear about all that '' rubbish '' when i come to Hogwarts. He was right, no ? '' she finished, smiling at the funny expression on Morgan's face.

'' So.. you are telling me that your family and you shut the doors to the outside world so tightly that you don't even know the most famous wizards of our age ? ''

'' No, it is not like that. Yes, we lived out of the wizarding community but they told me about the great wizards, the wizard families and the history of magic. I just don't know much about the recent events. And let's return to the point ! Who is Harry Potter ? A child rock-star or what ? '' she said in a defending way.

'' Rock-star ? How can you claim that you know the history of magic when you have no clue about the one who defeated, when he was just a baby, You-Know-Who ? '' said Morgan and added doubtedly '' You know You-Know-Who, right ? The darkest wizard ? ''

'' What ? You mean Voldemort ? Of course i know about him. ''

Morgan trembled and whispered :

'' Don't say his name ! You don't even know that rule ! So if you know him, haven't you ever wondered what caused him to disappear ? ''

'' I have been told that he just lost his powers during one of his evil actions. When i asked what kind of an action it was my parents just told me that i didn't need to know the details and made me promise that i wouldn't dig it anymore. Actually, i always thought it was strange that they made me promise such a thing, as they always encouraged me to research. But you know, a promise is a promise. ''

'' Yeah it is strange, indeed. Why would they do such a thing ? Everyone else knows what that '' evil action '' is. He was trying to kill Harry Potter. He murdered his parents but when he tried to kill him too, he lost all his powers and disappeared, leaving no more damage than a scar shaped like a lightining on his forehead. This is why Potter is so famous. He defeated one of the darkest and the most powerful wizards of the world, when he was just a little baby. ''

'' What ? Really ? '' asked Juniper in amazement. She couldn't believe that a baby could survive and cause Voldemort, the most feared wizard of their world, to disappear.

'' But how did he make it ? ''

'' No one knows. There are just rumors. Some say that Potter himself is a powerful dark wizard. ''.

'' Hmm… he doesn't seem like one, that's for sure.''. said Juniper gazing at the boy who was chatting happily with a red-haired boy, a few seats away.

Juniper's very first week in Hogwarts was advancing without any problem. Even though she hadn't had much company while she was growing up at the edge of a wild forest, she proved to be confortable enough around other kids. She slept peacefully in her dormitory room with four other girls on whom she was keen and spent many beautiful, chatting-playing time with her new friends, espcecially with Morgan, who happened to be one of her class-mates, with whom she had already become good friends. Next to the lessons she was attending enthusiastically, she learned from him too a lot about the wizarding community : sort of things she had never talked about, like the famous bands and useful tips about the teachers. Morgan, growing up in a rather outgoing wizard family, knew a lot about those stuff. Indeed, that day, waiting in front of the classroom in the cold dungeons for their first Potions class he said to her : '' Our first time with Professor Snape. Eh ! You know what my elder brother Jack told me about him ? He said Snape was the toughest of all, particularly for those from Gryffindor. He is head of the Slytherin House and clearly doesn't like Gryffindors a lot. He told me McGonnagall was at least fair, being that strict, but Snape favoured Slytherins over the others. He is one of the most hated tachers, of course except for his own house. '' .

'' I wonder which one was him. I can't remember faces of all the teachers from the feast. '' said Juniper vaguely.

'' Hah ! I know, you were busy with adoring Dumbledore. I saw you doing it before we started talking. ''sniggered Morgan. '' Whatever, he was the one who had black hair and a hooked nose. Remember ?''.

Then a man who really had black hair, a hooked nose and cold black eyes opened the door of the classroom and waited silently for them to enter. Juniper and Morgan, upon the choice of the latter, found themselves seats in the back of the classroom. Once everyone is settled, Snape began to take the roll call. When he came to Harry Potter's name, to Juniper's surprise, he paused and said : '' Ah yes, Harry Potter our new-celebrity.''. A few boys from Slytherin laughed at this remark, but most of the class stayed silent. Usually, the teachers seeing Harry's name on the call, happily welcomed him but Professor Snape seemed to take pleasure of making him feel uncomfortable. He asked him some questions that nobody in the class, except for Hermione Granger – a hard-working witch as Juniper observed – seemed to know the answers. After he is done with Potter, he asked them to seperate into pairs and start brewing a cureboil. So Juniper and Morgan lit a fire under their cauldron and began following the instructions that had appeared on the board with a tap of wand. Nobody dared to talk much while Professor Snape wandered between them, criticising every one of them, except for some Slytherins. Juniper, while she was chopping some ingredients, wondered why he was particularly cruel to the Potter boy as he had done nothing wrong and, considering his situation, most people tended to behave him really nice. She, herself, didn't know him much but had a few opportunities of communicating with him. He seemed like a modest, nice kid not like how Professor Snape showed him. Every time they saw each other he always greeted her and stopped for a little talk. Juniper had already start liking him and his friend Ron. While she was thinking these, Professor Snape came next to her and without even looking at them he said : '' If you keep at this speed, the potion will be ready before the sunset, if we are lucky .'' and continued walking. The rest of the class passed by merely following step by step the instructions as fast as they can. When the bell rang Morgan, for whom not talking for a long time is a difficult task, said : '' At last this hell of a class came to an end. Hey, i really need to go to the bathroom, could you pack my things too ? ''

Juniper called after an already climbing up the stairs Morgan : '' What am i ? Your little servant ? Pack up first and then go wherever you want ! ''. But seeing he was out of reach that quickly, she sighed and started packing up his things, murmuring to herself : '' Yeah, see you in the Common Room.'' .

So she tucked both hers and Morgan's stuff into their bags ; when she was finished she saw that all of her classmates had already left the place, probably not wanting to pass any extra moments in this cold classroom. She took the bags and the sample of the potion they had prepared to present to Professor Snape who was now sitting, his eyes fixed on something like a magazine. She put it softly on his desk. He didn't look, didn't even seem to know there was anyone left. Juniper stared at him, now he seemed tired, weary, had the expression of a deep grief. She felt sorry for this man who no more seemed furious and arrogant like he seemed 10 minutes ago. '' It must be tiring to hide the sadness under the anger.'' she thought to herself. Having reached to the door she looked back at him and said : '' Good days, Professor.''. Severus Snape, surprised, lifted his head to find out that he wasn't all alone. He saw Juniper and, strangely, almost hopped on his seat like he had seen a ghost. He looked her in the eyes for a minute or two. Juniper, surprised at such a reaction, couldn't decide whether she should stay or go. At last, Snape said with a trembling whisper : '' Who are you ? ''.

Juniper stayed still for a few seconds, not knowing exactly how to answer to this weird question. Then having decided that he must be asking for her name, she said : '' My name is Juniper. Juniper McRiver, sir.''.

'' Are you on the list ? '' he asked with the same tone. But without waiting for a reponse, Snape took out with trembling hands the paper on which were written the names of the students. He slid his finger fastly down the list and stopped at a point, looking carefully the name written on there.

'' Yes, of course sir. I am a first-year Gryffindor. '' said Juniper, now a little afraid. She thought that Professor Snape looked like he could pass out any moment now and had no idea why she couldn't have possibly done anything to offend him, she just wished him a good day.

Snape standed up and came closer to her. Staring as if he was trying to identify her :

'' Who are your parents ? ''

'' Er… Did I do something wrong Professor ? Why are you asking these questions ? ''

'' Just answer. Please. '' he said almost pleadingly.

Juniper was convinced that there was something very wrong now. Her a-minute-ago-ferocious-looking potions master was now horror-struck, pleading to her. Still, she answered obeyingly :

'' Er… I am the daughter of Lawrence and Galanthia McRiver, sir. ''.

'' I heard of them.'' he said excitedly and continued '' I saw their name in some magazines.''

'' Yes, that's what they do for a living, writing to the magazines. '' she said hastily.

Silence fell. They stared at each other for another minute. Juniper didn't know what to think about this strange look full of grief and longing. She said at last :

'' Er… I need to go, sir. I am being late to the next class. ''.

Severus Snape said nothing, did nothing.

'' Good day, again.'' She added while getting out of the classroom. She climbed fastly the stairs that led to the Entrance Hall and then to the Gryffindor common room. Her heart was beating very fast. She had not the slightest idea about what had just happenned. She didn't know what to think. All she knew was that she would make sure for a long time not to be the last to leave the Potions class from now on.

After Juniper left the dungeons, he stayed at least ten minutes on the point he was. What did he just see ? A ghost, an animated memory ? No, can't be, her name was on the list, he heard about her parents ! Maybe it was all his imagination, having just met their son, he couldn't control himself and his mind played him a game because of all that bitter, insupportable feelings of sadness, regret and guiltiness. He was missing her for so long, so deeply. Today, Potter boy reminded him for a second of her. Of course, he took after his dad, he looked just like him he inherited all his pride and arrogance but still he had also her blood in his vains. He made him think about her even more deeply than he had done for a long time. Yes, this must be it, reasonably. Why else would a girl with no relation to his loved one have those almond-shaped, bright green, beautiful eyes have her beautiful nose, beautiful mouth ? Why else an ordinary little girl look just like his dear childhood friend, just like when she was, herself, 11 ? Well, except for hair come to think of it, Lily's hair was of a much vivider red and wasn't as curly as this girls. He got back to his desk and checked once more the list. There her name was : Juniper McRiver. He was breathing so fast thet he began to feel dizzy. He had to pull himself together. Just a game of his mind. These things happen, don't they ? Though something like this had never happened to him before he had never seen her in anyone. He tried to calm down, taking deep breaths. He couldn't succeed. He decided to get out. Climbing two by two the stairs he arrived at the Entrance Hall and got out. It was a cloudy september day. The wind made him feel better. He kept thinking. This wasn't the very first time he had seen Potter. Why would he imagine these kind of things now ? Why would his mind, so cruelly, stick Lily's lovely face to the head of this first-year girl ? No, it wasn't happenning, he couldn't calm down. He had to be sure. He needed exact answers. So, leaving windy grounds, he ran off to the headmaster's office. He said the password to the gargoyle and ran up the moving stairs, knocking impatiently on the door. He got in.

'' Her daughter ?! '' cried Snape ten minutes later in Dumbledore's round office. '' How come…how come that I don't know anything about this ? '' he asked, almost shouting. Having fastly told everthing to Dumbledore, he had been sure that he would tell him that he was only dreaming, he should get a good rest and pull himself together. But there he was standing with a sad, understanding look in his bright blue eyes, telling him for the first time that Lily gave birth also to a girl.

'' You see, Severus, when Lord Voldemort learned about that prophecy, he got determined to kill the kid that was mentioned. Of course, it isn't unpredictable that he would kill also his twin to be sure, regardless of that the prophecy points to a boy. One innocent baby was already in extreme danger but we thought that at least the other one could be saved. Also, even if Peter Pettigrew hadn't betray Potters, they would have always had to escape and hide. Of course Lily and James couldn't leave their son alone and they didn't want this fearful life for their other child too. So after a discussion, we took this very painful decision : we made sure that Harry's twin sister got adopted by a good, thrustful wizarding family. '' Dumbledore got back to his desk and sank to his chair. He looked tired. It was clear that these memories were causing him pain.

Snape didn't mercy him. He kept looking at the headmaster with unbelieving, stubborn, accusing eyes and whispered :

''So even after all these years you don't trust me completely Dumbledore. I can understand that you didn't mention me of her at first but you could have at least warned me before i saw the exact childhood of Lily in my class. I believe you can imagine how much i was surprised, i could have even lost my mind ! ''. He stayed silent for a minute. '' I want to know all about this. ''.

Dumbledore sighed and stood up again. He wandered a little in the room and came to a halt in front of Snape.

'' Severus, you must understand. Everything was coming down and Lord Voldemort's spies were everywhere. Even though i trusted you i didn't want to tell this story. The more people knew about this fact the more she would be in danger. I wanted to make sure that Lily and James didn't sacrify their most precious time with their child for nothing. Also, it is not only you, we tried to keep the existence of this girl as secret as possible. When Lily gave birth, there were only James, Remus and me next to her and except for us there, only two other people were aware of this fact : Juniper's adoptive parents. So, as soon as she was named and Remus became her godfather, she was done to them. Even Sirius, James' best friend and Harry's godfather doesn't know this. I told you, we tried to keep her as secret as possible. This is one of the reasons why we sent her with McRivers. I knew them for a long time, of course. A lovely couple, prefering living outside of the society. We even discussed about whether we should tell them or not who the real parents of Juniper were, but then it seemed unfair not warning them about the possible danger. When they heard my offer of raising Juniper as their child, they accepted it happily, without even thinking. They promised that they would take care of her well, to love her a lot. Remus kept telling that he would visit her whenever he can. And me, I swore that i would keep her safe. Lily and James were grateful. '' . He stopped and rubbed this forehead as if he had a headache.

'' Believe me Severus, it was one of the saddest things i had ever seen. Lily and James, both kissing in tears their daughter, for the last time. They promised her if this nightmare in which they had been living for so long ended, they would take her back. Lily put around her a necklace which had a deer shape and thrusted to me to take her to a better, safer life...This is all, Severus. The McRivers kept their promise and loved her as their own child Remus kept visiting them as a family friend, not telling her that he was her godfather, one of the best firends of his deceased father. I did my best, which isnt't to be underestimated, to make sure she was having a beautiful childhood, just as her real parents would have wished. We kept her off all of these, now even Juniper doesn't know that she was adopted or Harry Potter, a classmate, is her twin brother. I don't think that we were wrong keeping her as a secret. But if I knew she would be an exact copy of her mother, I would have warned you. I realised this fact only at the feast. You know, I couldn't have visited them, that may have caused some doubts. Then I thought whether or not i should tell all to you before you run into her. But, dear Severus, although i knew you would recognise her at once, i couldn't warn you I feared that you would do whatever you can to avoid seeing her. So, I was really wondering when you would come thundering in to question me. '' he finished, smiling slightly.

Severus Snape was silent and still. He was very confused. Though the angry look of his eyes dissappeared, he hadn't yet forgiven Dumbledore totally. Only he knows how much pain he had been through, how much he wished to see Lily again. He would have even standed her marriage, if only she was alive. He still wondered how he had been able to avoid collapsing when he saw the girl and now he didn't know what to do. He sank into one of the chairs that stood in front of the desk and Dumbledore took the other one, facing directly him.

'' So now what ? '' Snape asked between his fingers. '' Will you keep lying to her forever ? Will you let her live without knowing the truth ? I dare say you won't be able to, even if you wanted. Not many people seem to remember Lily as a girl, but she inherited the same eyes as her brother. Soon enough someone would match the pieces. Even if it weren't for her eyes, she may grow physically to be the woman her mother was. No, this way or that way, someone will know and reveal the truth. ''.

'' Well, that's indeed probable. Still, I disagree with you. Many people wouldn't think it that way, I suppose. They may realise the resemblance but would find other explications. Nevertheless, I am afraid that she would have a hard time like whole wizarding and muggle worlds when Lord Voldemort returns. You know, I expect a war between '' the good and the evil ''. If I am not much wrong, she wouldn't stay indifferent to such a thing and then it wouldn't be that important whose daughter she is. Like everyone who stands against Lord Voldemort, Juniper will be in mortal danger too. Lily and James fought against him, Lawrence and Galanthia had left their peaceful life to do the same. I can't be too wrong to expect the same of her. There is a possibility that, if he knows about her, Voldemorts targets Juniper especially, like her borther. So, what do you think Severus ? Shall we reveal this secret in order to gain to the siblings some beautiful childhood memories together or keep it hoping to minimize the risk ? ''

Snape said, between his fingers, with difficulty : '' I don't know. I need to think. My head...it feels like exploding… ''.

Dumbledore : '' You had been through a lot of feelings today. I am sorry. It is really a question on which we should think carefully, after all the things that happened.''. He fell in a thoughtful silence for a few minutes and added : '' About her incredible resemblance to Lily… It is very rare that children keep the looks of their parents while they are growing up. Her experiences, feelings will be different, so don't worry. I don't expect her to look this exeactly like her mother for all her life.''. He paused and looked worryingly at Snape. '' Then… What will you do Severus ? I know that you keep your heart cold against Harry, but will you be able to do the same thing to Juniper ? Won't your heart hurt ? ''.

Snape take his hands off the face. There was a determined look in his eyes.

'' My heart ? You know that I don't use it except for pulping blood, at least not any more. Of course, I will be able to deal with it. I was naturally in shock at first, i thought my mind was playing a game to me, but now I am fine. I will keep doing whatever i was doing. What else i can do ? Were you expecting me to give up giving classes because of this resemblance ? I know it is not her. I know, just like Potter, she is his child too. I won't loose myself upon such a thing.''.

Dumbledore sighed once more.

'' Severus, i hope you won't. But you will see sooner or later that, just like Harry, she is also her child. You will see this truth in her more easily than you see it in Harry, i expect. ''