Hello! Here's the next chapter - I apologize for not revealing everything at once (but where would the fun be in that?)
Anyways, as per usual I still don't own Harry Potter. It all belongs to J.K.R. :)
Ideas and reviews are welcome - a special thanks to MotherEarth02 who has been incredibly supportive. Thanks for reading, I hope you like it! ... And, guess what? I've figured out how to make a page break! Yay :D
Chapter 3
The two walked out of the dungeons together, and Harry managed to wait until they reached the corridor on the seventh floor before coming to a stop and rounding on Hermione.
"Alright Mione, I need answers."
The girl sighed softly, and began to pace up and down the hall, brow furrowed as she tried to determine how best to phrase this to her ... Friend.
Having him freaking out and running away wasn't going to help anything; although deep down she knew that Harry would never desert her.
Smiling softly at her last thought, she eased open the door to her favorite room in Hogwarts, feeling some of the tension dissolve as she stepped across the threshold of the room of requirement.
Harry followed her in, quietly shutting the door before he perched himself comfortably on the arm of an elegant armchair, waiting for her to start
Hermione took a deep breath, suddenly irrationally nervous. Fear seemed to swell up within her, invading her mind and numbing her senses. What if he rejected her because of this? What if he hated her? Shunned her? Told her she was lying and never wanted anything to do with her ever again?
She couldn't do this. She couldn't do…
She gasped, remembering to breath as she felt Harry's hands grab her shoulders, pulling her into a hug before she passed out. She took a few gulps of air, steadying her racing heart, before melting into his arms and reminded herself that he would always be there for her when she needed him, that he would never desert her.
"Look Mione, whatever it is I'm sure it can't be all that bad," Harry soothed gently. A small part of his brain was dully noting that this was probably the first time he'd ever seen his sister in all but blood panic over something completely unrelated to exams.
Hermione sighed.
"It appears… that my parents aren't exactly the people I thought they were."
Harry rolled his eyes slightly, "Really? I would never have guessed!"
Hermione drew back, punching him lightly in the arm as Harry pretended he was now gravely wounded. "Harry, can't you be serious for a second? This is important!" But Harry noticed her lips twitch slightly upwards, and decided to push his luck to get her smiling again.
"Nah, that's Padfoot's job – can't steal his title."
He barely had time to blink before she'd rushed at him, toppling him to the ground; eyes alight with amusement despite the scowl etched on her face.
"You seriously had to bring that up?!" Then she slapped a hand over her mouth as Harry's eyes widened further in triumph, but before he could formulate a response she exclaimed, "Oh no you don't! Not again!" And began tickling him mercilessly.
Laughter soon echoed around the cozy room, Harry arming himself with plush pillows from the couch as soon as he was able to make a break for it.
It was about a quarter of an hour later that saw the teens relaxing on the couch before the fire, roasting a packet of marshmallows they'd accidentally discovered in one of the cupboards before calling a truce. Although this was usually considered an outdoor camping activity, Hermione had insisted they use them now, as she knew perfectly well that the Dursleys would never have taken Harry camping. Damn them.
"So, you were saying…?" Harry began, loathing breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the room, yet unable to quench his curiosity any longer.
"Right," Hermione began, taking a deep breath. "Hand me those scrolls, will you? Thanks."
There was a pause, before Harry once again urged her onwards, "Mione?"
"Sorry. Lost in thought. So, umm… where to begin?"
Harry chuckled softly, "How about the beginning?"
Hermione cracked a grin, "Always a good place to start, isn't it?"
There was another pause.
"Mione, you should know that I love you – you're the sister I never had. Whatever this is, we'll make it through together, I promise."
He'd been unprepared, however, for the huge grin that split Hermione's face as it contorted with laughter.
"Hihihihi… And to think… Hehehe… I was so worried…. But of course… Hahaha!"
Harry watched her for a moment, perplexed, before decideding she was fine and throwing his hands up in the air in mock despair. "That's it, she's finally lost it!" He declared to the room at large.
Hermione glared at Harry slightly as her giggles redoubled in force, clutching her sides in an attempt to breath before she managed to calm down again.
"You know, laughing is supposed to extend your life…" Harry defended himself quickly. "I'm only looking out for you sis…"
Hermione's face split into a smile at that. "Harry, you have no idea how true those words are. I'm glad you love me as your sister because, as it turns out, I am."
"Wait, what?!" Harry burst out, taken totally by surprise.
"Yep." Hermione said, slightly nervously as she made sure to pop the 'p'. She smiled uncertainly at her best friend, the boy she considered a brother that he had miraculously turned out to be.
Harry stared into space for a few seconds, just long enough for all Hermione's insecurities to come flooding back. This is it, he's going to call me a liar, to reject me, to tell me that can't be true…
"That's awesome!" Harry's face split into a large grin as he jumped up to hug his sister, who laughed in relief as she clutched at his robes.
"You… you don't mind?"
"Do I look like I do?"
She hit him upside the head. "Pratt."
"Must be genetic," he got out fast, and then ran for it as she realized the implications of that phrase. Grabbing a pillow, she tore after him, a huge smile lighting up her features.
"So… this makes us what? Twins?" Harry asked, chewing reverently on a (albeit slightly burnt) marshmallow.
Mione thought for a moment. "Must be. Unless we're a year apart… Oh! That explains it!"
Harry raised an eyebrow, sending out the unspoken message of, 'care to share?'
"Nope," she said. Giggling slightly at his affronted expression, Hermione elaborated. "Well, I'd always wondered why my letter came on the 31st of July. Everyone else said they got theirs on their birthday."
Harry grinned; eyes alight with glee.
"Ha!" Mione exclaimed rather suddenly, "I bet you I'm the older one through!"
"What? And just why would you assume that?"
"Simple – I'm more responsible, not to mention intelligent, better looking, more… ouch! No, come on, the pillows have already been abused enough for one day!"
Harry paused for a moment as he stared at his sister in curiosity. "But, you don't exactly look like my – our – parents…"
Hermione's demeanor changed instantly. "You know, that's an excellent question."
"It's odd though, you know, since our parents were…" Hermione cut him off.
"Harry… there's more." She mumbled, averting her gaze from her brother's. This would be the hardest part.
"More?" Harry's eye's bulged, incredulous. There was more than discovering he had a mysterious long lost twin?
Hermione closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. Better to get this over with…
She handed him one of the scrolls.
Harry's jaw dropped to the floor.
