"Harry, sit. I have a lot to tell you, a lot of questions to answer. I promise you that everything will be explained tonight. Perhaps some of it will ease your pain." The sound of glass breaking ceases.

"Headmaster, nothing you say will bring Sirius back to me," Harry harshly replies.

"While this is true, I implore you to give me a chance. I have made many mistakes in my life that I have come to regret. None more than the two that I am about to explain to you."

I proceed to extract a memory, a mere silver strand, and place it in the Pensieve. I swirl my wand around and a misty form of our beloved divination teacher appears. The form suits her really; it's not too far off from the reality she always tries to project. And then she has a voice.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." And then the mist dissolves and I brace myself for Harry's reaction.

"How do you know this is directed at me? Couldn't it be someone else?"

"It was possible when it was made, that one other person could have been targeted, but it has become increasingly clear to me that it is you, and you alone."

"Who was the other person?"

"Neville Longbottom."

"Ok, so basically, you're telling me now that 15 years ago, you found out that my future was as black and white as murderer or murdered? Why am I just now finding out?"

"I know you are angry. My reasons for not telling you before seem insufficient now. You were only 11 the first time you faced Voldemort, how could I possibly lay that burden on such a small child? And then in 2nd year, you faced Tom Riddle and won, and still I thought you were too young. In third year, you found Sirius, and it seemed that Riddle was biding his time; I did not want to mar your happiness. Then last year, you dueled Tom and again, you won. But you were traumatized, and by that time, I had allowed myself to grow so close to you, that I could no longer be objective."

"Ok. I'm still angry, mind you, but you said this could ease my pain. So far all you've accomplished was to increase it ten fold. What is this last thing you have to tell me?"

"Harry, 15 years ago, you defeated Voldemort, and your parents passed away. You have thought them to be the only family you ever had, but you were wrong."

"What are you talking about? If I had family surviving, why did I go to the Dursley's?"

"Well, the one other relative you have could not possibly have raised you, for she is your age. You Harry, have a twin."
"Funny, Headmaster, but I can't have a twin. You wouldn't have kept this from me for so long. We wouldn't have been separated."

"Let me explain my reasoning to you. When your parents found out about the pregnancy, it was the darkest of times. Voldemort was at his peak. Of course, everyone knew about it, it was a bright spot amongst the dark. But only three people were aware that it was twins. Those people were James, Lily, and myself. When the prophecy was made, I informed your parents. They agreed that Mandy needed to be safe from the worst of scenarios. And so, she was put in hiding, only I knew where she was. When they died, the country was in chaos. People were still afraid that Voldemort was out there, and you were suddenly famous. You needed the blood protection of your aunt to be safe. Your sister however, was not accepted into their home. I felt the need to preserve her identity so that she would not be a target. I created a name for her and placed her in a muggle orphanage to await her return alongside you."
"However, the events since your return to the wizarding world have prevented me from revealing her true identity. You see, no one knows her as a Potter, save me. If Tom finds out, she will become his number one target because she is a direct link to you. It is for this reason alone that I kept this from you. I realize now how mistaken I was in this. By depriving you of what you have so badly wanted, I have been letting Tom win."

"So why was she sent away instead of me if I was the one in danger?"

"That, Mr. Potter is a question for another time, all will be revealed eventually but for now, I beg patience. I believe Ms. Brocklehurst is waiting outside my door if you would like to meet her."

And then Harry gets up and embraces the scared looking Ravenclaw as if his life depended on it. There are tears in his eyes. I marvel at this display from Harry as it is so unlike him. Perhaps, he is already starting to change.

"Headmaster," says a very terrified Mandy "why am I here?" Her raven hair and sleepy looking chocolate eyes scream of her father, but her personality is all Lily.

"Mandy, what is your last name?"

"Brocklehurst, sir, but I still don't understand why I was called here."

"You were raised in an orphanage, am I correct?"
"Yes, sir you are."

"Why, do you believe, you were sent there?"
"The nuns told me that I was a freak so my parents sent me there to be fixed. And then I got my letter and it all made sense."

I watch as Harry tenses at the sound of her treatment in the orphanage. Already, he is becoming the protective brother.

"Mandy, you were raised in the orphanage because your parents died in the war. You were raised by muggles because your safety was at stake. No one knew of your existence in the wizarding world. Your parents are Lily and James Potter, and Harry is your twin. When you were born, we had to separate you, to keep you safe. And when your parents died, I had to maintain that safety by concealing your presence."

"So, you're telling me now, after I've spent 15 years, alone and wondering if I had a family? And not just any family, but that I belong to possibly the most dangerous blood line the wizarding world knows?"
"Yes, that is exactly what he is saying. Trust me; I've had no grand life either. I know my history is nothing but conflict but it's not like I go looking for it. It appears to be my destiny," responded Harry.

"What do you mean your destiny?"

"Forget it; it's not important right now. I'm sure you have a lot of other questions."

"Oh no, I don't think so bro. I've been called out of my bed in the middle of the night. I get to the Headmaster's office and find out that I am not, in fact, a muggle-born orphan like I have been told, but yet, that I belong to one of the most famous wizarding bloodlines in history. I find out that Harry Potter, Voldemort's most wanted, is my twin, and now you're going to tell me that your destiny doesn't affect me? I don't think so."

Ah yes, so like her mother. Lily never could stand it when secrets were kept from her or needless sulking occurred.

"Basically," starts Harry, "there was a prophecy made when we were born concerning my future. I either kill Voldemort or he kills me. It has something to do with why we were separated but I'm not sure what."

I notice Mandy go silent. I am just about to say something, when Harry responds. He is changing quicker than I expected. Perhaps, I have done something right by these two.

"Hey, I'm not happy about it either. We've both just found out about all of this. I think we both need time to deal with all of this information. Welcome to the family though!"

I watch as Mandy hesitates for just a moment before grabbing Harry into a bone breaking hug. At first he appears uncomfortable, and then he reciprocates and both begin to cry.

"So, bro, think we'll get along? After all, I don't want to hurt your Gryffindor pride with my Ravenclaw intelligence."
"Is that a challenge then? How good are you on a broom?"

Mandy suddenly appears very interested in the snoring portraits lining my walls and again, I am reminded of Lily. Her mother couldn't fly either. As I watch this interaction, I can't help but smile. This is exactly what they need.

"Alright, you two, I realize there's a lifetime of catching up to do, but you also need sleep. Harry, go directly to Madame Pomfrey, she is waiting for you and naturally, given the secretive nature of tonight's event, your entire house is there as well. Professor Flitwick has been notified of your situation Miss Potter and you are welcome to go with Harry or back to your house."

"Yes Headmaster," they answer in unison.

"Oh, and just a reminder Mandy, when searching for an answer, the best place to start is within," I add.

As they exit the office together I hear Harry ask "what was that about?" and Mandy's reply of "I have no idea." Yes I think to myself, this is right. They will rival Fred and George as far as TwinSpeak is concerned. With his unrivaled skill and her unfathomable intelligence they will have what it takes, of this I am sure.