Chapter 1

Disclaimer: JKR owns all.

Attack on respected family leads to Azkaban, death

Many questions still remain after the mysterious attack on the Thorn residence that left Mrs. Charlotte Thorn, 54, dead and her daughter Ms. Lilith Thorn, 29, in Azkaban.

On Christmas Eve, a team of aurors led by James Potter arrived at the Thorn residence to find the east wing in flames and the residents nonresponsive. The only witness to the attack was the family's house elf, who has not been permitted to speak to the press.

While the Ministry has yet to confirm anything about the attack or alleged attacker, an anonymous inside source claims Ms. Thorn's arrest is due to recently discovered ties to the Death Eaters. The source explained that documents found in Ms. Thorn's possession are similar to documents found in a locker at St. Mungo's 15 years ago. Allegedly, the documents contain information regarding a rash of newborn disappearances from the maternity ward during 1981.

When pressed about why these disappearances were covered up (the Prophet has no record of any missing newborns from the time in question), the anonymous source said the documents hadn't been discovered until after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's downfall and "never believed anything would come of it."

To date, at least 20 newborns born in St. Mungo's in 1981 have been connected to Ms Thorn. Since Ms. Thorn only has one known child, who is likely one of the kidnapped infants (see page 6), it is likely the other children are long-since deceased. Ms. Thorn is known for her genetic experiments with magical creatures and it is believed she was using these talents to aid He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's efforts during the war.

Ms. Thorn's trial is set for the end of January, where the truth of her horrendous deeds will finally come to light and justice will be served for all of her innocent victims. Anyone with any knowledge of these kidnappings is urged to come forward.

Unlike her daughter, no ties have been found to connect Mrs. Thorn to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or the Death Eaters. Indeed, she lived a quiet life devoted to her family and community. She is preceded in death by her husband Benjamin Thorn, eldest daughter Cecil, and eldest son Thomas — both children were killed during the war against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She is survived by her youngest son and Ministry employee Benjamin Thorn Jr., his wife Prudence Thorn, and granddaughter Anya Thorn, who is a sixth year at Hogwarts.

A funeral and memorial service for Charlotte Thorn will be held Thursday, January 2, 2-6p.m. at Mr. Thorn's residence. All who wish to pay their respects are welcome to attend.

Sole kidnapping survivor's true family revealed

Christmas just keeps on giving. If the behind-the-scenes look at the Yule Ball, the reveal of a giant teaching at Hogwarts, and the alleged Death Eater attack on the Thorn Manor wasn't enough, get ready for the next bombshell: Anya Thorn's true identity.

In order to rectify its either oversight, the Ministry has worked tirelessly over the last several days to identify the missing newborns and their families. (It should be noted that their success is mostly due to Ms. Lilith's Thorns detailed notes that, according to reliable sources, contained the dates of birth and family names of the stolen infants.)

Though the true victims of Lilith Thorn's crimes have all been identified, only one can be located. Confirming previous speculations, Anya Thorn has been identified as the final kidnapped infant.

Upon the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Lilith fled to the protection of her mother's home with the then one-year-old Anya. For the last 15 years, Anya has been raised as a true member of the Thorn family and is successful, sixth-year Slytherin at Hogwarts. Family friend and neighbor Mrs. Victoria Greengrass describes the girl as "studious yet graceful. She made the family proud."

So what, dear readers, is to become of this poor girl with no real family to claim her?

Fear not, for the Ministry has — unbelievably — figured it out.

Though tampered with by strong magic, Ministry officials (and possibly Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore) discovered the date of Anya's birth was not May 25, 1981, but is July 31.

If this date seems familiar to you, it is because it is the birthday of The Boy Who Lived, the famous Harry Potter.

Coincidence?

No, dear readers, it's not. Further review of the birth certificate revealed Anya's birth parents to be James and Lily Potter, making her Harry's twin sister!

Though she may have found her true family, it may not be the fairy tale ending we all want for the girl. After all, a Death Eater raised her for 15 years while possibly (most likely) performing unnatural experiments on her. We can only hope that Anya is able to overcome any darkness in her past.


Anya sat at the Slytherin table absolutely livid. Twirling her wand, she stared at the open Daily Prophet on the table before her. She had only learned the results of the certificate examination last night from Dumbledore. She knew he nor her uncle or James would have leaked it, so it must have been someone within the Ministry. Fortunately, the complete collection of her mother's research was safely hidden at her uncle's home and hadn't been confiscated by the Ministry, but Rita Skeeter had done a decent job of filling in the blanks. But none of that mattered. Her life was shattering around her and on display for all of her classmates' amusement, for the second time that week.

"You're pissed; we get it. Put your wand down!"

Looking up, Anya finally noticed her mood was affecting the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Instead of the sunny winter sky, it was now overcast with a strong, cool breeze filling the Hall. She shot Katrina an apologetic look as she set her wand down.

"Thank you," Katrina sighed, working to fix her dark red hair, which now hung in lifeless waves as opposed to the loose curls she had styled it in that morning. With a quick flick of her wand, her hair returned to its usual coiffed state.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to mess up your look."

"You should be more careful," Katrina said, pretending she hadn't heard Anya's quip, "with Rita Skeeter snooping around for her next big scoop. Honestly, I'm surprised she doesn't know about your occasional temper tantrum."

Anya rolled her eyes. "They aren't tantrums. They're temporary losses of control over my magic, and they're not as common as they used to be."

"Is that what you call The Incident?" Katrina challenged, clearly enjoying herself.

"In a sense, just a more extreme loss of control that, might I had, encouraged Malfoy and his cronies leave us alone since first year."

"And made you, me, and Amethyst life-long friends," Katrina added. "Which is the most important part of The Incident."

Anya felt herself smile despite her anger over today's top news stories. Katrina Sloan had been Anya's best friend since they met on the Hogwarts Express. Even though Katrina often joked that is was Anya's role in The Incident that cemented their friendship, it was really due to Katrina being Katrina. She was an almost scary mix of stubborn, bold, and intelligent, and had a talent for making everyone like her. Like Anya, however, she had a bit of dark side. While Anya wouldn't say she was mean, Katrina could be a little cruel, though unintentionally. But even Anya could be cruel when provoked or, sometimes, bored.

Anya and Katrina often joked that Amethyst Croft, the third member of their group, made up for their shortcomings. Amethyst was almost annoyingly kind and would make friends with just about anyone, including those she was better off not knowing. However, it was her kind and calm nature that kept the friendship alive as she mellowed the tempers of her friends and forced them to be better than they were often inclined to be. Anya wished Amethyst had been able to stay for the Yule Ball instead of going home for the Christmas holiday. She could use her friend's calm rationale right now.

"How'd she even get this?" Anya asked, referring to the two Prophet articles.

Katrina shrugged. "No idea. So… how much of it is true?"

Checking around for eavesdroppers, Anya leaned over the table and quietly said, "Most of it."

"You were kidnapped?"

"Yes."

"Did you know?"

"No."

"Are you really Potter's twin sister?"

"It appears so."

Katrina paused their rapid-fire interrogation as a couple of fourth years walked by, but they were too engrossed in their own conversation to pay attention to Anya validating the Prophet's claims. They were a rare pair since most of the occupants in the Hall kept shooting inquisitive looks in Anya's direction and whispering as they passed.

"Did your mom you know, really experiment on you?"

"No," Anya answered without hesitation. "She told my uncle that her research was interrupted before she got around to it."

"Well, doesn't that make feel all warm and fuzzy inside?" Katrina asked sarcastically.

"Yeah," Anya said with a defeated sigh. "Please don't say anything. I'd like to keep this private as long as possible."

"Of course. How are you doing, by the way? I mean, first your grandmother and now this mess. I just can't imagine what you must be feeling."

"Overwhelmed mostly," Anya said honestly. She felt tired, too, but she didn't want to bring up all that was tired. Especially since one of the things she was tired of was lying to everyone, including Katrina. She was proud and ashamed at how well the lies and excuses came to her and how easily she spoke them. It should have been harder. She supposed she was more of a Slytherin than she had realized. "And dreading whatever fallout is coming. Skeeter's articles are just the beginning."

"You're probably right," Katrina conceded, absently pushing her food around her plate. "But maybe getting to know your brother and dad won't be so bad?"

"Maybe. Listen," she said, spotting the person she needed to talk to and most wanted to avoid enter the Hall. Luckily, he was surrounded by his friends and she could sneak out without him noticing her if she moved fast. "I need to run to the library and pick up some books for an Ancient Runes paper. Do you mind if I bail on breakfast?"

"No problem. I'll definitely enjoy the rest of my food without gale force winds blowing everything around," she teased.

Anya smiled gratefully as she stood up from the table and made a quick exit from the Hall. She tried to ignore it, but she doubted her exit was as subtle as she would have hoped since everyone turned to gawk at her as she walked up the aisle between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables. It had only been a few days and she was already sick of the attention. She found herself wishing for classes to start so they would all be distracted with school and the tournament.

She was almost to stairs in the main corridor when someone behind her shouted, "Hey freak! Where are off to in such a hurry?"

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Anya turned around to face whoever was yelling at her. She felt her stomach drop when she saw whom it was: Ezra Greengrass was her former best friend and ex-boyfriend. They had gone out for a few months during their fifth year, but it hadn't been a good relationship. They fought constantly and his jealousy and insecurities finally became too much for her. Sadly, Ezra hadn't taken the breakup well and their friendship hadn't recovered. She rarely saw him now, despite being in the same year and House. They had gone from being almost family to absolutely nothing. Sometimes Anya missed him and his sisters, who had essentially forbidden contact with, but he was becoming someone she couldn't be with — as friends or anything else.

Now he stood before her a disheveled mess and wearing a nasty sneer, a look she had never before seen on him. He hadn't even bothered to comb his dark hair or change his clothes from yesterday; and his bloodshot blue eyes told her he was hungover if not still drunk. Seeing him like this, even though he hated her, hurt. She forced herself to not feel guilty about his current state. She hadn't done this to him; he'd made his own choices.

His initial outburst had drawn the attention of everyone in the corridor, and they eagerly waited to see what would happen next. Anya had to be careful not to lose control, but it would be difficult. She was wound tight already and Ezra always knew how to push her over the edge.

"Off to the Hospital Wing to get tested?" he asked, his sneer growing more pronounced. "Going to find out just what your dear mummy turned you in to?"

"Fuck off, Ezra," Anya warned, her right hand clenching around her wand. "You're drunk. Again."

He scoffed. "So? At least I'm human."

"Shut up!" she snapped.

"Why? I'm right, aren't I?" he pressed, stopping about five feet in front of her. The crowd around them was growing as students walked out of the Great Hall, finished with breakfast. "And who will want a freak like you now? Your uncle's not even your real uncle, and your real family hates everything to do with Slytherin and You-Know-Who. Not even Diggory —"

"Flipendo!"

Ezra succeeded in pushing her too far. Unfortunately for him, Anya sent him flying backwards across the hall. He landed ten feet away with a loud thud, moaning instantly about his head. She cursed under breath, frustrated with herself. Surprisingly, the onlookers broke out in cheers, but were quickly silenced by Snape's sudden appearance.

"That's enough. If you all aren't out of this corridor in the next five seconds, I'll start deducting points." Snape commanded, his tone quiet and threatening. Wanting to avoid angering Snape further, everyone scattered except for but Anya and Ezra, who pushed himself off the floor in the most pathetic manner possible. Turning his attention to his two students, Snape continued in his slow, menacing drawl, "Mr. Greengrass and Ms. Thorn, ten points from each of you for dueling. Mr. Greengrass, a further 10 points for drinking on school grounds. Ms. Thorn, come with me to my office."

"But Professor," Ezra spluttered, still clutching his head, "she —"

"I suggest you remain silent unless you want a week's detention," Snape warned. "Perhaps you should go to the Hospital Wing for your head, seeing as how it's bothering you so much."

A glaring Ezra closed his mouth and began climbing the stairs, leaving Anya to follow Snape to his office.

They walked to Snape's office in silence, Anya bracing herself for the barrage of insults. Snape may have showed favoritism to the Slytherins in public, but that favoritism didn't extend to in-house situations. He could be just as horrible, if not more so, when the Slytherins screwed up. The last time Snape summoned Anya to his office, she had left with two weeks of detention and an extra potions essay. She wondered what fresh hell he would come up with this time.

"Sit," Snape directed as he rounded his desk to sit in his chair. Anya resisted the urge to dramatically plunk down into the seat, instead sliding gracefully into the seat. Her grandmother would be proud — though she'd be more proud if Anya hadn't lost her temper in the first place.

"Ms. Thorn," Snape started, his usual drawl infused with a hint of annoyance, "I know you're under a great deal of stress given recent events but I believe we've discussed this behavior before?"

"We have?" Anya asked, playing dumb. She was already in trouble; she might as make it worth it. His irritated stare prompted her to continue. "Oh, you mean that one time in first year where I accidentally sent Malfoy to the hospital for a week? I have mentioned that he was tormenting other first years, right?"

"You did. However, I know you are an intelligent and capable student and expect you to resolve issues without attacking your fellow students. As a sixth year, I also expect you to have better control over your temper and not embarrass the Slytherin House."

Practicing self-control, Anya resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Yeah, well, sometimes people just aren't what you expect, are they?"

Snape surveyed her coolly for a moment, making Anya just the slightest bit uncomfortable. She had a weird feeling that he was trying to read her thoughts. She had no doubt he could, but it must be illegal to do on a student.

"I can't let this behavior go unpunished," he finally said. "However, due to the recent upheavals in your life, I can afford to be lenient. Another ten points from Slytherin and three nights of detention to be completed once the term recommences. You may go."

Anya remained frozen in her seat, completely stunned. Was Snape actually being nice? Well, nice for him anyway. The only student he had ever been lenient was Malfoy, and everyone in Slytherin was sure Malfoy's father was paying for Snape's favoritism.

"Is there are a problem, Ms. Thorn?" Snape asked, pulling a stack of parchment in front of him.

"No, sir," she said, standing up and walking toward the door before he could change his mind.

"Do try to keep your temper in check, Ms. Thorn. I expect Mr. Greengrass will be the first of several to harass you about the claims from the Prophet," Snape warned.

"Yes, sir," Anya said with a nod as she exited his office. Now if she could only make it to the library and hide out there for a few hours.


"How is she getting this stuff?" Harry asked at the Gryffindor table, referring to the Rita Skeeter articles in the Prophet. "I only found out last night from my dad — who was here. Skeeter's not even allowed inside the castle."

Harry had been eating breakfast with Ron, Hermione, and Neville when Hermione had received her edition of the Daily Prophet. She had nearly choked upon reading the clip about Anya's true parentage. Harry had, of course, told Ron and Hermione after talking to his dad. Though James had asked him not to say anything, Harry knew that he could trust Ron and Hermione. His dad had also told him to act as he normally would and not approach Anya first, afraid it might overwhelm her.

"I don't know, but I'm sure Dumbledore is furious," Hermione said, rereading the article for clues of who the mysterious source was.

"So it's true?" Neville asked nervously. "She really is your twin sister?"

"Yeah, she is," Harry said, glancing across the Hall at the Slytherin table. He could see Anya in deep conversation with a dark redheaded girl toward the end of the table. She seemed completely unbothered by the stares and whispers directed at her from around the Hall. Harry wondered how she could be so unbothered given what the paper had written about her. Not only was her connection to the Potters exposed, but also Skeeter had strongly suggested Anya was kind of living science experiment.

"She's not so bad for a Slytherin," Neville supplied helpfully. "She's helped me a lot in potions over the years. Honestly, I'm surprised no one noticed it sooner. You two do look a lot alike."

"Isn't her entire House afraid of her?" Ron asked, sending a scrutinizing glance to the Slytherin table.

Neville shrugged. "I don't think the entire House but yeah, a lot seem to keep their distance. Not even Malfoy messes with her."

This bit of information caused Ron to smirk in amusement. "Maybe she's not so bad after all."

"Ron! Could you try to be less like your usual insensitive self?" Hermione admonished. "I'm sure she's not bad at all."

Ron muttered something no one caught and turned his attention back to his breakfast, stabbing his sausage in a slightly aggressive manor.

"Do you think I should go talk to her?" Harry asked, ignoring Ron's hurt feelings for the moment.

"No, I don't," Hermione sighed, sounding tired. "Do what your father said and give her some time to process all of this. She's lost a lot in the last week and doesn't quite need to address having a whole new family right this minute. Merlin, you're both clueless."

Harry knew Hermione was right. Normally, all the surprises in his life were bad ones and he was excited to find out he had a sister. He had always wished for a sibling.

"You're right," Harry said, glancing over again to see Anya exiting the Hall. "I'll wait a bit, giver her some time."

"Good," Hermione said approvingly. "Anyway, you need to focus on figuring out the second task."

Harry and Ron both groaned as Hermione launched into planning mode.


Anya paused in the dungeon corridor, thinking that maybe it'd be easier to deal with her housemates and hide all day in her dormitory than trying to make it to the library. Most of her House was still at breakfast. It was likely she'd be able to avoid any confrontations, and it was the one place that was completely off limits to him.

Her internal debate was interrupted when someone pulled her backwards into an alcove. Wand raised, Anya spun around to face whoever it was that had pulled her. She should have known he find her.

"What do you want, Cedric?" Anya snapped, lowering her wand and folding her arms defensively in front of her.

"To see how you're doing," Cedric said curtly. Then added accusingly, "You've been avoiding me."

He wasn't entirely wrong. Anya hadn't seen Cedric since Christmas Eve, the night of the Yule Ball and the attack on her mother and grandmother. The news of the attack had been delivered toward the end of dinner at the ball. Cedric had offered to leave with her the moment she found out, but she had refused. The aurors didn't know anything and there wasn't any one to take her to the scene just yet. She had insisted they continue with the evening until someone could take her. Anya maintained her composure, opened the ball with Cedric, and danced with her friends before an auror came for her. Oddly enough that auror was James Potter.

She spent the next three days at her uncle's house, undergoing Ministry interrogations and helping her uncle plan for the funeral. Anya had asked to stay until after the funeral but her uncle and aunt thought she'd be better off at Hogwarts. While Dumbledore and James could limit the Ministry's access to her, they couldn't stop the Daily Prophet from running half-true stories or the consequences of those stories.

"I haven't been avoiding you. I've been avoiding having that conversation with you. I'm just not ready to analyze and plan for that right now," she explained, her anger fading. "I'm so tired and so much has happened and I still have Grandmother's funeral…."

"You're right, I'm sorry," Cedric apologized, running his hand through his sandy brown hair and relaxing his stance. "I'm worried though. You weren't doing well before the Yule Ball and I can tell that you're worse now. I can see through your glamour charm; you look ill."

"I know," Anya groaned. She wasn't only emotionally tired but physically tired, as well. Part of the draw of her dormitory was the option to sleep for the rest of the day. "The potion's gone, but my uncle's making more. I just have to make it two more days."

"It's not going to be enough," Cedric said gently. "It hasn't been for awhile."

She sat on the ground against the cold stone wall, gesturing for Cedric to sit next to her. Laying her head on his shoulder, she said, "I know and I promise we'll deal with it — after the funeral."

"Fine," Cedric sighed, still concerned but recognizing he couldn't change her mind. "But after the funeral, you have to follow through with this. You can't afford to put it off anymore."

"I know."