Surprise Encounter

Since the last encounter with Dumbledore, Ann couldn't speak with Harry, but she caught the boy staring at her several times. She'd heard from a blonde, first-year Slytherin named Draco Malfoy that Potter and his two friends were planning something, and Ann was as curious as the others to find out what, but, after all, it was none of her business, so she resigned to studying alone in the library again.

They had a new professor for Defense against the Dark Arts called Quirinius Quirrel who, for Ann, was the creepiest person she'd ever seen in her life (except Snape, of course), and she wasn't really looking forward to her next Defense against the Dark Arts lesson. She could feel a dark aura glowing towards him, and the purple turban he was always wearing being just an add to that. Only by thinking of him, Ann felt shivers down her spine, so she decided that she'd rather go back to the common room.

'Watch out!' she heard someone shouting from behind her, right before something hit her in the head. She felt her knees go weak and the next thing she heard was the sound of her own body hitting the ground.

Ann opened her eyes and saw the white curtains that surrounded the bed she was resting in. 'The hospital wing', she thought and moved her head a bit to see a ginger boy with big blue eyes and a brunette boy with big green eyes and ruffled hair watching her with concern in their eyes. She recognized the brunette as being Potter, but she had no idea who the ginger was. Her head was aching too bad to think about anything.

'Um...Erm..S-Sorry...' said Harry concerned. His voice was still high-pitched, still immature, and his school robe was too baggy for his body. But, in fact, Harry Potter was a truly impressive creature.

Ann smiled to Harry, trying to tell him that it's alright, but couldn't find the power to part her lips.

'I..I'm Harry Potter, by the way...and I'm really really sorry. That spell was meant for Malfoy.'

'So..you...petrified...me?' Ann finally found the power to whisper. Harry could make a Petrificus Totalus spell, altough he was in his first year.

'B-By mistake...'

She tried to stand in a sitting position, but it seemed that the ground was tougher than she'd ever thought. She smiled to Harry again, who's cheeks turned a dark shade of pink when their gaze met.

'Madam Pomfrey will take care of you, but I wanted to apologize first.' he added.

'It's alright, Harry. I..I'm Ann, by the way, Ann Evans.' she said, feeling more powerfull this time. She watched Harry as his facial expressions changed from minute to minute, the ginger boy doing the same. It seemed that Harry recognized Ann's name, and Ann let out a small, hoarse giggle. Her head gave her twinges, and Madam Pomfrey arrived, holding a glass.

'Drink it fast, sweerheart.' she told Ann, before she disappeared behind the white hospital curtain. Ann did what the nurse said, and felt the pain leave her head. She felt more happy, and she got out of the bed fast. Both Harry and the ginger watched as Ann was stretching her arms and legs, fixing her school robe and picking up her backpack. She turned to the ginger and stretched her hand:

'Ann Evans.' she said shortly, adressing a smile to the boy.

'R-Ron W-Weasley.' he answered, sightly stuttering.

In fact, Ron was watching Ann for several days because he thought that she was beautiful and he'd heard from her older brothers, Fred and George, that she's a nice girl. He was jealous because they actually got to talk to her, but now he had his own chance.

'Are you brother with Fred and George?' Ann said, her smile growing wider that her cheeks almost hurt.

'Y-Yeah...unfortunately.'

'Why unfortunately? They're nice guys.'

Ron had now a funny look on his face.

'Yeah, when they don't hide giant plastic spiders in your bed and steal your chocolate frogs.'

Ann let a giggle escape her lips again, and Ron blushed. It seemed like his freckles turned red too. Suddenly, an owl crossed the room and landed on Ann's shoulder. It was a dark brown owl with amber eyes. Ann took the letter the owl was carrying and unfolded it. It had Dumbledore's small and elegant writing on it.

'Ann,

Please meet mr. Potter and take him with you on your way to my office at any time today. I will be waiting for you. We have to talk.

Albus Dumbledore'

So Harry didn't know that he was her half-brother, Ann blinked, then turned to Harry.

'Harry, you and I must see professor Dumbledore. Now.'

'But..But we've got Potions and we already missed a few minutes of it. Snape is going to kill me!'

'I can talk to him.'

Ann, Harry and Ron made their way to the Potions classroom, and Ann opened the door loudly. She walked to Snape's desk, and met his cold yet surprised gaze.

'Can you tell me under what circumstances are you disturbing my class, Evans?'

'Sir, I am here to escort Weasley and ask for permission to take Potter with me to meet professor Dumbledore.'

Snape was now watching Harry, an evil smirk appearing on his pale face. She could feel Harry's tension.

'Got into trouble again, Potter?'

'Please, sir. We're in a hurry.' Ann interrupted. Snape's evil gaze met hers, and she could feel his next words:

'Five points from Slytherin for disturbing my hour. You may take Potter with you, Evans, but I hope professor Dumbleodre will teach you how to be respectfull, despite the fact that you're in a hurry.' his hand made a 'dismissed' sign in the air, and Ann took Harry's arm and drove him to Dumbledore's office. The other Gryffindor students were watching surprised, as Ron sat down next to a girl with brown bushy hair. Ann saw Malfoy's figure before leaving the classroom, holding Harry's wrist in her hand.

She murmured 'Chocolate frogs' to the gargoyle, and then knocked on Dumbledore's office door. They heard Dumbledore say 'Enter' and Ann pressed the door's knob.

'We're here, sir.'

'Good. Sit down.' Dumbledore was facing them, pointing to two cozy armchairs in front of his desk. Ann and Harry sat down at the same time, and Dumbledore smiled.

'Ýou resemble so much one to another.' he said next. Harry seemed contraired by Dumbledore's affirmation, this thing showing in his green eyes.

'Harry, you look a lot like your father. And Ann, you look a lot like your mother.'

'Professor, did I do something wrong?'said Harry.

Dumbledore giggled.

'Oh no, no, no, Harry. I called you two here because I want to introduce you to your half-sister, Harry.'

Harry looked Ann in the eyes with no trust.

'But...sir..'

Dumbledore managed to tell Harry the entire story as Ann watched his facial expression change like they did in the Hospital Wing. Harry was so nice to look at, and, for a second, Ann felt so happy to be his half-sister. Then, she realized she'd never felt something similar: the warm feeling inside her chest that she's found a safe niche where she could hide from the bad, that her and Harry were really bounded. Harry looked at her one more time.

'B-But...why didn't the Dursleys tell me?'

'They didn't know either, Harry. Ann grew up here, in Hogwarts, with us. She was hidden.' and then, he added with joy 'Well, children, I think it's time you should return to your classes. Ann, you have Care of Magical Creatures next, with the Gryffindors. Also, I can see that you grew close to the Weasley twins, and do you mind if I ask...'

Ann turned to a dark shade of red.

'N-No, sir! Me and the twins barely know each other.'

'Oh, excuse my curiosity, I was just...' Dumbledore said with an innocent smile.

In a few seconds, Ann and Harry left Dumbledore's office and looked at each other like they saw the other for the first time in their lives.

'Ann...I..I am honestly happy that you are my sister. I finally have a magic member of the family.'

'You're the only member of the family I have.' smiled Ann, and Harry's eyes widened. He was just as orphan as she was, but growing with no one but Dumbledore seemed extremely sad for Harry. But she had a happier destiny than him, and he was jealous on her because she had someone like Dumbledore next to her when she needed the most.

'You were so lucky to grow up in Hogwarts...I grew up with muggles.'

'It's not that great. I was kept in Dumbledore's office and he was usually busy and I had no one to talk to. Snape was the only one available, but I prefered to lock myself in Fawkes' cage than to talk to him.'

Harry smiled. She truly was like him.