The Sister of The Boy Who Lived
Chapter 6
~Summer 1995 The Hogwarts Express
The entire student body was a buzz with excitement at the transformation of Hermione Granger. Everyone had questions for Harry and his sister. "Are you sure she's really Hermione Granger?" several asked, "She doesn't look anything like her."
"Oh why don't you lot sod off already," Ron said to the newest group of students looking for answers.
"Thanks Ron," Hermione said.
"It's nothing," Ron said glancing at the door to the compartment they were in. "What's going to happen now?"
"I don't know," Harry said, "were going to have to tell our families what we've discovered. How did your mother take it Ron?"
"She's relieved really," Ron sighed, "she thought perhaps that the Weasley's will have more of a chance getting Hermione to be part of the family if you're out of the way in regards to being a suitor for Hermione, or Miah rather."
"I've always thought of Hermione as my sister, and now that she is, I couldn't be happier," Harry said putting his arm around her.
"So your mother wants me to marry into your family huh?" Hermione asked.
"Yea, she's been obsessed with it actually," Ron said, "since before second year."
"That would explain a lot," Hermione said resting her head on Harry's shoulder. "you don't think that my parents and your aunt and uncle will try to separate us will you?"
"Hermione they're your aunt and uncle now too," Harry said in a teasing manner. "No I don't think they will, Aunt Petunia has taken a liking to you. And now that you look more like Mum I don't think that she'd willingly give you up."
"I'm not sure if that idea scares me or not," Hermione said, "it means that Dudley is really my cousin."
"He's hasn't been so bad the last few summers," Harry said.
"I'm glad we found each other Harry," Hermione said, "even more so that we knew each other before we found out were really siblings. I always wanted a brother, and now that I have one. I couldn't be happier."
"Me to Sister, me too," Harry mumbled hugging his sister tight.
…
~Platform 9¾ ~
"Hello Molly," Jean said with a warm smile.
"Hello," Molly said warmly, "we were hoping that we could get together to talk before the girls start the dance program next week."
"Of course, we'd be glad to," Jean said, "would tomorrow be to soon?"
"Tomorrow would be perfect," Molly said excitedly, "How about the three of you floo over tomorrow for dinner?"
"That sounds lovely Molly," Jean said.
Finally after what seemed like years of waiting, the train pulled into the station. Soon the station was a buzz with students telling their parents the best part of the school year, "You won't believe what happened at school." A boy told his mother excitedly.
"I'm sure it'll keep till we get home," the boy's mother said as she ruffled his hair.
"MOM!" the boy whined.
Jean chuckled at the exchange. She finally caught sight of Harry, he was holding the hand of a pretty little red-head. Her hair was darker than the Weasley's, it was more of a dark brownish red color. They were heading her way, she suddenly wondered where Hermione was.
"Hello Mrs. Granger," Harry said politely.
"Hello Harry," Jean said, "who's your friend?"
"This is my sister, Miah," Harry said, pulling Hermione up in front of him.
Jean looked at the girl who stood in front of her, after a minute or two, she took in the girl's eyes. She had green eyes, they were such a familiar green color too. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. Green, like Hermione's. "Hermione," Jean said wrapping her arms around her daughters shoulders.
"Hello Mom," Hermione said, "I've lots to tell you."
"Oh, and I want to hear it all," Jean said, "but better save the story for dinner. We're due at the Dursley's for dinner. Let's go your father decided to wait at the car, all these people make him a bit nervous."
"Are my Aunt and Uncle picking me up?" Harry asked.
"No, dear," Jean said, "I asked if you could come home with us, seeing as we were coming over for dinner I thought that I'd save Petunia a trip."
"Yes, I can see the upside," Harry said tugging his sister along by the hand.
"We're loath to be apart Mom," Hermione said, "We were worried that we'd be split again."
"No, we wouldn't do that," Jean said glaring behind her as they walked, "we need to discuss some things as a family. And while I would like to discuss things with you now, we have to wait till tonight. Petunia and I have something we need to tell you. Don't worry we won't try to separate you from one another."
Harry and Hermione both sighed in relief, when they reached the parking area, Mr. Granger swept Hermione up into his arms. "What have you done to your hair?" he asked.
"It's a long story," Hermione said, "Mom asked me to wait until dinner tonight."
"That's good dear," Mr. Granger said, "did someone put you up to changing your hair?"
"No," Hermione said, "but you could say that the change is permanent."
They chattered the whole way home about Hermione's parents Dental Practice. About how much her parents missed her. They talked about things that happened at school, but they left out the part where they found out they were related. The twins imagined that there would be a colossal blowout when the Dursley's found out about it.
The afternoon went rather slowly, Harry and Hermione spent the time lounging around the Granger's living room watching Disney movies. First it was Alice In Wonderland, then they watched the Little Mermaid. Harry commented how the Mermaids in the Black lake looked nothing like that. Then they watched Sword in the Stone. Which they thought was a good ways off from what their life was actually like. It was like a parody of a wizards life. "Talking owls," Harry laughed, "I wish Hedwig could talk."
"The transfiguration part could work though, Malfoy was turned into a Farret," Hermione said, "though I think it was more harrowing than he wants to admit."
"Harrowing?" Harry asked cocking his head to the side.
"Agonizing, painful, torturous," she said, "Pick one, harrowing has been stuck in my mind since the 24th of June."
Harry hugged Hermione close to him and they watched the rest of the Beauty and the Beast in silence. Later that evening they were bid to wake so that they could get ready to go to the Dursley's for dinner.
When Mr. Granger pulled into Private Drive, Alex turned and looked at his daughter, "Is there something you want to tell me before we go in there. I'd rather not be kept in the dark."
"I'm Harry's sister," Hermione said.
"I figured as much," Alex said, "I wouldn't have allowed the two of you to cuddle on the couch if you weren't related. Is that why your hair is different?"
"Yes," Hermione said, "but we'll tell you the rest inside I'd rather not retell it a second time."
"Alright," Alex said unhappily, "I can allow that, but I'm not pleased about being kept in the dark."
"I know Dad," Hermione said, "I wanted to send you a letter, but Harry thought it was something better told face to face instead of in a letter. Besides I had no idea how to tell you. We were afraid you would try to keep us apart."
"I'm sorry that you felt that way Hermione," Alex said, "We wouldn't keep you apart if you felt you needed to be together."
"That makes me so happy," Hermione said, "Perhaps we should go inside now. I bet they're wondering what's keeping us so long."
So out of the car they climbed. Harry and Hermione stood in front, while Mr. and Mrs. Granger brought up the rear. Mr. Granger was carrying Hedwig and Harry and Hermione were carrying Harry's trunk.
The door opened to reveal a massive Dudley, who when seeing who it was turned and yelled towards the stairs, "MUM HARRY AND THE GRANGER'S ARE HERE!"
"There's no need to shout," Vernon said coming down the stairs, "we haven't gone deaf yet son."
"Sorry Dad," Dudley said , "They're here and they've a girl with em, I think she may be Harry's girlfriend she doesn't look a thing like Hermione."
Petunia and Vernon rushed into the room to see the kids standing there holding Harry's trunk. "Surprise," Harry said.
Before anyone could say much of anything, Petunia rushed to the girl and wrapped her arms around her. Petunia's actions cause her to drop the side of the trunk she was holding. "Oh, my darling how beautiful you look," Petunia said standing back but still holding onto Hermione's shoulders, "You look just how I thought you would."
"You knew?" Hermione asked confused.
"Your mother and I suspected," Petunia said, "we took samples of your hair, and send it to be tested right before you went off to the Weasley's after your Recital. We didn't get the results back until the end of October."
Hermione and Harry were speechless, as they were pulled into the house and Mr. Dursley shut the door. Dudley helped him take Harry's things up to his room. When they came back down, Jean finished Petunia's thought.
"We were going to tell you over Christmas," she said, "but you ended up staying for the holidays, and we didn't want to tell you in a letter."
"So you knew we were sibling when you picked us up," Hermione said unsure how shew as supposed to feel about everything, "That would explain why you weren't freaking out over my appearance."
"You aren't angry with us are you dear?" Jeanasked.
"How could I possibly be angry with you?" Hermione said, "I knew I was adopted before all this came to light. If you hadn't told me I was adopted before this I would be angry; but you did tell me, so no I'm not angry."
"I'm so happy," Jean said, "the Dursley's are happy too."
"Your aunt has mourned your loss since Harry was brought to us," Vernon said, "she was distraught that her sisters daughter was lost to her. And we haven't treated Harry all that well over the years. I just couldn't see why that old wizard would think us the best place for the boy. He knew how much we hated magic."
"But we're willing to try and make up for it now," Petunia said, "not just because we found you Miah. It's what we should have done all along. I feel like I've been walking in a fog all these years, and I've just now woken up."
"It's alright Aunt Petunia," Hermione said, "I'm so happy that I have a brother, that I'm willing to over look what happened here. If your up to making amends then I think the right thing to do would be to let you."
"You sound like your mother," Petunia said, "now we need to talk about arrangements for the summer. Did you have something in mind Jean? We can't very well split them up, they've only just found one another."
"I don't know," Jean said looking over at her husband who was still trying to get around everything that had been revealed to him.
"How about Hermione stays with you up until she starts Ballet, and then Harry can stay with us on the weekends," Alex said, "then after the recital the two of them can go and stay with the Weasley's. Or do you need to stay here until your birthday. I vaguely remember Hermione mentioning one year about you having to stay put till your birthday."
"I should probably stick around until July 31st. That's only 4 weeks away, and then after the recital we can stay with the Weasley's the last two weeks of summer," Harry said.
"I don't mind," Hermione said, "But so you know I get all my summer reading and assignments out of the way the first week of summer. I won't be very good company, I'll probably hog the kitchen table the entire day."
"That'll be fine dear," Petunia said.
"Wait," Vernon said, "by the entire table, do you mean the entirety of the table?"
"I might be persuaded to leave a spot for you Uncle Vernon," Hermione said batting her eye lashes.
He just smirked and nodded his head. Vernon figured that having a Niece in the house might not be so bad after all.
After dinner, Harry and Hermione told their family how they discovered they were brother and sister. Though they left out the part about the evil Dark Lord who wanted them both to die.
…
The next day started out as per the usual, her mother dropped her off at the Dursley's with the promise that they would see her again in the evening, as they had dinner plans with the Weasley's.
Hermione and Harry spend a good part of the day sitting on the couch watching Movies. Harry had convinced her to take a short break before cramming all of her summer assignments into a seven-day period.
The day passed quickly, but only just a bit. At around 6 PM the Granger's arrived to pick Hermione and Harry up for dinner at the Weasley's. The Granger's promised to have the siblings home at a decent hour, no later than 10 PM.
To say that the Weasley's were surprised to see Harry that evening was an understatement. It seemed that everyone was still getting used to the idea of Hermione being Harry's sister.
"We're just trying to get used to it is all," Molly said, "you look and sound very different Hermione. I can still call you Hermione can't I?"
"Of course," Hermione said with a laugh, "The only ones to refer to me as Miah are well aunt Petunia and Ginny. Not that I mind."
"It's better than saying 'Mione," Ginny said with a smirk.
After everyone sat down to eat, dinner was done in no time at all.
"Why don't you kids run out back and talk in the garden," Molly said after everyone finished their dinner.
"Sure," Ginny said pulling Hermione behind her.
Molly served tea and biscuits before she herself sat down as well. "We wanted to discuss what your plans for Hermione were for the summer," Molly said, "Is she still going to attend the Ballet workshop?"
"I would like her to," jean said, "but with how her looks have changed over the past year, they would probably mistake her for a different person completely. I think that by going by routine that she expects ballet to be a big part of the summer."
"How much did Hermione tell you about what happened at Hogwarts?" Arthur asked.
"She hasn't told us anything," jean said, "We were hoping that you could shed some light on the subject."
Arthur and Molly looked at each other, how much were they allowed to tell them? They weren't sure, Dumbledore would need to be asked. Molly and Arthur gave them a small but brief account about how Harry ended up with the Dursley's. Jean and Alex already knew about how Hermione ended up with them. Arthur told them about what happened at the Final task. How Hermione was with them when they returned,and that she looked different.
"Is this Lord after Hermione as well?" Alex asked.
"It would be smart to assume so," Arthur said.
"Would it be better for her to spend the summer with Harry at the Dursley's?" Jean asked, "as long as Hermione has the ability to practice dance and music it doesn't much matter where she is. Would it be safer that way?"
"I don't pretend to know weather or not she's in danger now or not." Arthur said, "But it's safe to say that if You-Know-Who is back that things aren't going to be safe outside anymore. As to what to do I don't know. Dumbledore would be the one to ask."
"Maybe, Hermione could come and stay with you after Harry's birthday," Jean said, "if it isn't safe for Hermione to be in London then it wouldn't due to have Ginny in danger also. Better to be safe than sorry later."
"It's for the best," Molly said, "we can always convert Ginny's room into a Dance studio, they can practice there for the time being. If a few years, if they're still serious about ballet I can introduce them to the troupe in Diagon Alley. They perform two or three times a year."
"I'm sure that the girls would like that," Jean said.
…
After the adults had their chats, Jean and Alex collected Harry and Hermione, and delivered them back to the Dursley's for safe keeping.
In the morning, when they woke they were greeted with the smell of bacon and pancakes.
"You're both are going to be 15 this year," Petunia stated, "What would you like for your birthday?"
"But Hermione already celebrated her 15th birthday," Harry said, "Or is she younger now that she's my sister?"
"Well as were twins," Hermione started, "I guess I don't mind celebrating my 15th birthday again."
"This must be confusing for you," Petunia said, "I can imagine what you must feel."
"I'm elated really," Hermione said looking at Harry, "I finally have a brother, and I finally feel complete. It's like I was missing something before."
After breakfast, Hermione spread out her school work on the table so she could get good start. She tried to beckon Harry to start his as well, but he wasn't having any of it.
Before they knew it the first week of summer was over, and Harry and Hermione found themselves separated from each other.
However Hermione wouldn't have time to miss her brother, because a few days after she arrived home the Granger household had a visit from Albus Dumbledore himself.
Hermione was ushered out of the room and up the stairs before she had the chance to negotiate with them about staying to hear what her Headmaster had to say.
To Jean and Alex his words sounded similar to those of Arthur Weasley. "I'm not sure how much you know about..." Dumbledore started.
He didn't give them the watered down version either, their daughter was in all sorts of danger. Though they knew they couldn't pull Hermione from school as it wouldn't keep her from harm, they still had the urge to do so.
"it would be better if she was with someone who could protect her at all times," Dumbledore said, "her Godfather, Sirius Black, though he couldn't take care of her when she was small has the ability to do so now. And he would have Harry right this moment; but it's important that he stay at his aunt and uncles till his birthday."
"But you mentioned that the familial wards were what was keeping him safe. Does not Hermione, sorry Miah count as family, wouldn't the wards work with her around as well?"
"It is something I will have to look into," Dumbledore said vaguely. To Alex it seemed that perhaps Dumbledore was just trying to keep the two of them apart. Because wouldn't it make more sense to have Hermione at the Dursley's with Harry than in the company of their godfather?
"But wouldn't it be better for Harry and Hermione to both be at the Dursley's until their birthday?" Jean asked.
"I suspect that Lord Voldemort would expect it," Dumbledore said, "now that they've found each other he would expect for the two of them to be inseparable. So it would be better if she were to be some where he wouldn't expect her to be. But you being her parents would be in a great amount of danger as well. Going into hiding is something you should think about."
"We will not cower or bow," Alex said, "so hiding is out of the question." At least right now, Alex thought, if they decided to go into hiding, it would be without anyone's knowledge but their daughter's and her brother.
And so it was decided that in one week's time, Remus Lupin would come and collect Hermione, or Miah rather and bring her to 'Headquarters'. Where that was no one knew for sure.
…
Hermione was surprised to find all manner of people at Headquarters. Not all of them were staying there the rest of the summer; but many of them were. The Weasley's were one said family that were bunkering down the hatches so to speak, Molly was seeing that the place was cleaned from head to foot; and not in that order. No one was exempt from helping clean out the place.
Remus and Sirius were two others that were to call 'Headquarters' home for what was left of the summer. Though with all rights it was Sirius's home and he could decide who could stay and who could not; but sense he had donated it to the order for their use. He really didn't have a say in the matter.
Cedric Diggery was another such dweller for the summer as they were concerned that You-Know-Who might become interested in him after the Grave yard incident.
Cedric and Hermione didn't have much contact between the time she arrived and when Harry was due to. It wasn't that they didn't want to talk, it was well... Mrs. Weasley had them so busy they didn't even really have time to think. And as Dumbledore had banned any letters to Harry for those short weeks, they avoided the topic. Hermione was really upset that she wasn't able to write to her brother. She was afraid that he was going to be very upset with her over it; twin sister or not.
"It'll be fine Miah," Ginny said trying to sooth her, "He'll understand, if it makes you feel any better we can try to sneak a letter to him tonight."
Hermione smiled at the idea, and nodded fiercely.
…
Later that night, Hermione and Ginny, with the assistance of Fred and George, got hold of an owl. They heard talking in the kitchen so sending the owl out the back door was out of the question. But before the girls could find another place to send the bird from, Fred pulled the girls over. "They're talking about you," Fred mouthed to Hermione.
"What is he thinking of?" Molly asked shrilly,"she should be with Harry, for her birthday."
"I don't know dear," Arthur said, "I'm sure he has a reason."
"But to tell them that they can't owl him?" Molly asked, "not even a note to let them know that they aren't able to write. Or even a note so that he knows he's not alone and that they'll see him soon."
Hermione had heard enough, she knocked on the door without thinking.
"Whats wrong dear?" Molly asked opening the door to the kitchen.
"I want to send a letter to Harry," Hermione said, "And I'll do it whether or not I've permission too. But you can read it first to be sure that there isn't anything that can't be traced back to the Order."
"that's very kind of you dear," Molly said, "but I trust you. Now mind that you send just one letter, I don't want you getting into trouble."
"I'm not afraid of getting into trouble," Hermione said, "I'm worried what Harry will do if he doesn't hear from me soon."
"Here we can send it from here," Molly said opening a window. "Take this to Harry."
Hermione watched as the bird flew away. "Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said giving her a hug around the waist.
"You're quite welcome dear," Molly said, patting the girl on the back, "Why don't you and Ginny run along and practice for a while."
"OK," Hermione said before she turned and walked away. It was a short lived thing as she was kidnapped by the twins and Ginny right after she made it out.
"Well," Ginny said.
"I sent Harry his letter," Hermione said smiling boldly.
"I knew you could do it," George said.
"So what do we do now?" Ginny asked.
"You and I go warm up, and then practice our dancing for a while," Hermione said, "we can't let our selves forget how to dance."
"I thought you didn't like doing everything that your mom wanted you to learn how to do?" Ginny asked.
Hermione leaned against the wall and sighed, "I enjoy dancing," Hermione said, "I think I would dislike it more, if I didn't like it."
"I think I understand what you're trying to say," Ginny said, "we can talk more about that later. For now let's just go and practice."
A/N:
I know what your thinking... why is this taking so long? How come this chapter started off slower than the other? Well I've tried to speed it along, but as you know, these stories seem to have a life of their own, and well you can't rush a story if it won't be rushed.
Please forgive me any grammar issues, if you don't mind. the word processor in my computer doesn't correct grammar, however i do believe i got all of the misspellings.
I Don't Own Harry Potter.