DISCOVERIES
It had been a tiring day for Avril. Dumbledore had apparated with her to several different locations to prevent splinching during the long distance traveling they had to cover. She didn't enjoy feeling as if though her lungs were collapsing and deflating on her. Avril was thankful when they arrived at Hogsmeade. By this time, she was feeling nauseated and her face had turned a nasty shade of green.
"You did excellent, Miss Potter. I'm rather surprised you didn't become sick earlier." Dumbledore spoke as he rubbed the child's small back in a circular motion.
"I never wanna do that again," choked Avril, she took a few steadying deep breaths to relax herself.
"Are you well enough to walk yet?" asked Dumbledore. Avril nodded shakily and peered up at the old man. No more than three steps forwards, the girl bent over and heaved, emptying the contents of her stomach.
"Oh dear," Dumbledore froze behind the child and pulled back her long hair from her face and waited until the vomiting stopped.
Avril's shoulders shook from the effort and she groaned. When she opened her eyes, she grimaced. Her white sneakers were covered in her lunch.
At least I feel better, thought Avril.
Waving his wand, Dumbledore muttered, "evanesco." The girl smiled shyly and said, "thank you, sir."
"You are very welcome, my child. I do hope you are feeling much better now?" inquired the Headmaster with concern etched in his features.
"Uh huh, better than before." Avril wiped the thin film of sweat from her brow and sighed.
"You are sure?" Dumbledore examined the girl and she nodded.
"Then let us be off now, Miss Potter." Dumbledore took the girl by the hand and led the way.
When the pair arrived at the front gates of Hogwarts, Avril gasped in awe and wonder at the sight of the enormous castle before her eyes. "It's huge, mister!" squeaked Avril.
Chortling, Dumbledore beamed at the little child next to him. "That it is, just wait until you see the interior of the castle," he opened the two large stilted doors and ushered Avril inside.
Her eyes growing ever more larger in amazement and said, "This is where I get to go to school? Wow!"
"I take it that you approve?" said the Headmaster.
When the tour of the main parts of the castle was finished, Dumbledore brought Avril to his office. Leading her to a chair, Dumbledore offered the girl another lemon drop and she took it. Then the Headmaster seated himself at his desk and began, "Now seeing as it is only the middle of July, we will need to figure out where I shall have you placed until the start of term."
Avril smiled, "well that's easy, what about going to my dad's? He knows about me right?" Her heart was pounding in anticipation, she could finally know more about her father and get to meet him. Avril always wondered about him, she spent many hours imagining who her father was and what he looked like. She so wanted a father to protect her and be there for her.
Dumbledore sighed and his heart began to break once again knowing that this child not only lost her mother but her father as well. Staring pitifully at the child, he didn't want to be the one to add to her grief that he knew she must be feeling.
Choosing his next words carefully, Dumbledore started, "Unfortunately that is not possible, my dear child."
"Why not? I'm his kid!" Avril's face flushing with anger and resentment. It wasn't fair, Avril thought. After all he was her father, she belonged to him.
"Now, now child. It is neither because I wish to keep you from your father nor would he not want you. I am deeply distressed and sorry to tell you that he has long since been dead." Dumbledore uttered sadly.
Avril's heart plummeted to the bottom of her feet, she would never get to meet her father. Releasing a breath that was long held, "oh well umm, how did he die?"
"Your father, James was murdered alongside with his wife, Lily. A dark wizard by the name of Lord Voldemort murdered them." Replied the Headmaster.
"Why? What did he do?" Avril's head reeled with the confusion of so many questions.
"He did nothing wrong and neither did Lily. Voldemort was after their son, Harry, your half-brother who was a year old at the time. Harry survived the killing curse with only a lightening shaped scar on his forehead. The curse rebounded onto Voldemort and he fled."
Avril was flabbergasted, it all added to the turmoil that was running space in her mind. Taking advantage of the silence, Avril thought to herself. I have an older brother that I never knew about. What else is there that I don't know about? It's been one thing after another since I met Dumbledore today!
"Why did Voldemort want to hurt him, a baby? How's it a baby survived when the two adults died?" Avril inquired.
As the moment passed in silence, Dumbledore watched the girl shift in her seat and he pondered how to best answer her questions without divulging too much too soon.
"Well," Dumbledore broke the silence, "Voldemort was a cruel man and spared no love or compassion for any human being, adult and child. I believe that Harry survived because of his mother's love for him because she died trying to protect Harry. Love is a powerful thing, even more so than magic itself. Never underestimate the power of love, Avril."
Averting her gaze from the wizard, Avril focused her attention onto the red phoenix perched next to the Headmaster. She swallowed the hard lump in her throat, again willing away the tears forming behind her solemn eyes. As much as she felt bad for herself, she felt even more so for the brother she never met. Still privately struggling through her own feelings of grief and loss, Avril could more than empathize with her half-brother.
"Is Harry in a group home like me?" Avril asked.
"Harry lives with his aunt, Lily's sister and her husband. They took him in when his parents were killed." The Headmaster replied.
"Well I guess I probably won't be able to stay with Harry?" Avril asked.
"Your guess is correct; they have their hands full with Harry and their own son. They would not be willing to take on another child. However, I will arrange for you and Harry to meet so you may spend some quality time together before the start of term."
Letting out a sigh, Avril asked "So where are you sending me?"
"I think I know just the place," Dumbledore grinned, stroking his bear. "The Weasley family is quite large; they have seven children of which only five are still at home. But I'm sure Molly and Arthur would love to help. Let me just fire call Molly and make certain that it can be done."
Avril inwardly groaned-five kids! "Okay." She hardly ever played with kids, she never could have friends because of her mom's reputation, and parents didn't want their children to be exposed to the ugliness of drug abuse and the chaos that was her home life.
Not to mention, she and her mother moved constantly due to the countless eviction notices. So if Avril did have any playmates, it didn't last very long. Avril was definitely shy and awkward around others.
"In the meantime, I will have Professor McGonagall bring you to the great hall for supper. Afterwards I should have some news for you." Said the Headmaster.
