My Thanks to those who answer my Poll on what the core and wood on Emma's wand should be.
A day out
After the Weasley family plus two Potters finished Lunch, Molly looked at Arthur who nodded back in understanding.
"Harry, Emma dears? Could you come and speak to Arthur and myself for a few minutes please?"
Ron wanted Harry to come and play Quidditch but he could tell his parents were dead serious about something and decided not to voice any objections. The Twins looked relieved that their parents were taking Harry and Emma's home life seriously.
Harry and Emma looked at each other "Uh… sure!" he said "Have we done something wrong?"
"No, no it's not you but we really need to talk. Boys, Ginny could you occupy yourselves for a while."
"Certainly mother." Said Percy "I have an essay on the Goblin rebellion of 1612 that needs a little bit of fine editing…"
"Yes that's lovely dear you do that." Said Molly not really paying attention. "Harry, Emma, if you would."
Mr and Mrs Weasley led the last of the Potters into the sitting room and had them sit together on a couch.
"Harry… Emma." Began Molly "Could one of you please explain why you both seem to have been fed so… little?"
Harry looked at Emma, who shrugged, "Our Uncle doesn't like us very… well at all." he said "Actually neither does are Aunt…"
"…or Dudley." Added Emma as an afterthought. The two of them had come to accept that they and the Dursleys would never get along with each other. They were not fully aware of the concerns of Molly and Arthur.
"And what sort of reason is that?" asked Molly "Furthermore why do you stay with you relatives if they don't want you?"
Harry shrugged "Our life is crap, we accepted it a long time ago and learnt not to complain." He and Emma joined hands.
"As long as I have Harry it doesn't matter. That is what I've always believed. What we've always believed" Said Emma
"Harry, Emma." Said Arthur carefully "You do understand that what your relatives did was unacceptable?"
Harry looked at him quizzically "In what way, lots of kids get sent to bed without dinner?"
"Harry there is a difference in being sent to bed without dinner when they've misbehaved and simply not being fed." Said Arthur worryingly.
"You might want to tell the Dursleys that." Said Emma "They just don't like us. While Harry was at school our Uncle suddenly decided he didn't want me fed, despite the fact I was making dinner. After that I told Harry and he told Hagrid, who came round talk to them."
"I would have done that again this time round, but my mail was blocked by some house-elf and Uncle Vernon padlocked Hedwig's cage. So…" said Harry
"Your Aunt and Uncle starved you and there was nothing you could do to stop him." Said Molly, her temper rising.
Arthur looked very grim "Harry, Emma. I think we should tell Professor Dumbledore about this."
Harry looked at him "OK, we were going to write to Hagrid at some point anyway and tell him all this. We promised, but we couldn't use Hedwig…" He looked down, it wasn't fun being powerless.
"Well if you don't mind I would like to floo Albus now?" said Arthur
"If you think that is best." Said Harry "Can we play Quidditch now?"
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"And why can't I learn if Emma is learning?" asked an indignant Ginny. Harry had finally gotten round to fulfilling a promise he made his younger sister. To teach her how to fly. Ginny wanted to learn as well, but the Weasley boys for some reason were against the idea.
"Because Ginny dear, you're too young?" said Molly, who was also not that keen on the idea of her daughter flying.
"I'm the same age as Emma, I'll be 11 next Tuesday." Said Ginny
"And I don't actually turn 11 until the 31st" said Emma supporting her new friend.
"And the boys have been flying for years. Ron at least since he was 6." Argued Ginny further.
"Ginny just do as mum says. You can't fly." Said Percy, though why he was talking was beyond anyone as he was only downstairs for a drink before heading back upstairs to do whatever it is he does in his room all day.
"Come on Harry, you don't wanna teach my sister to fly do you?" said Ron lacking as much tact as usual.
"It's no trouble Ron, I've promised I'd teach mine as well. I don't mind." Said Harry
Ginny blushed and Emma smiled at her brother.
Just then the fire flared and the Weasley Patriarch landed on his feat. "Ah what seems to be the problem?" he said noticing the increased tensions.
"It's nothing Arthur." Said Molly "I'm just telling Ginny that she's too young to learn how to fly…"
Arthur frowned "Now Molly the boys all learnt by the time they were 8 I think you should allow Ginny the opportunity now."
"But… Arthur?" stuttered Molly, she did not want her baby girl on a broom.
"Molly the boys all learned at a much younger age and she's going to learn how to fly when she goes to school anyway." Said Arthur
Molly frowned, then sighed "Very well Ginny I suppose I can't hold you back any longer."
Ginny smiled hugged her mother and ran outside, Emma followed close behind. Harry and the Weasley boys followed, albeit a little bit slower. After extracting enough brooms from the shed, Emma was given Charlie's old one and Ginny was given Bill's, Harry set about doing what Madam Hooch would have done had Malfoy not stolen from Neville last year.
"First place the broom on the ground." Both girls did so while the Weasley boys watched with interest "Now say up." Said Harry
Both the girls did so and found to their surprise that the brooms shot into their hands.
"Wow!" said Emma "Why do we do that?"
Harry and the Weasley's all looked surprised at that question, it had never occurred to them before. The only time anyone ever said "up" was when they had there first flying lesson.
Once the general "No idea!" had been shared amongst everyone, r Ginny and Emma start by hovering above the ground. Emma was a little nervous at first but once she realised that the worst that could happen would be for her to fall a few feat she began to get the hang of it.
Ginny on the other hand was a natural… a little too natural.
"Alright girls!" said Harry "I want you to try a bit more than hovering."
The two of them put their feet on the ground and looked at Harry who went on to explain the basics about propulsion and braking.
After a few minutes of explanation both the girls were flying around the field a little more courageously, although Emma understandably was a little nervous.
Harry flew alongside Ginny "So how long have you been able to fly?" he asked her.
Ginny jerked in surprise and nearly fell back, luckily Harry reached over quickly and righted her.
"I…" Ginny looked down at her brothers.
"You ok Ginny?" called Fred or George
"I'm fine!" she yelled quickly to her male siblings on the ground. With great effort she looked Harry in the eye "Please… I was six… I snuck out… they don't…" she looked at her brothers again.
Harry laughed "Don't worry I won't tell them. For what its worth they should have let you fly ages ago you're really good."
Harry flew over to his sister, leaving Ginny with a face coloured the same as her hair and a huge smile. "Harry Potter thinks I'm good at flying!"
"How're you getting on Em'?"
Emma looked at Harry very slowly, afraid that if she diverted too much concentration she would dive and impact the ground at 100MPH and die. "I'm getting it… How did you learn to do this?"
"A git at school called Malfoy stole something of a friend of mine called Neville."
"Oh yeah that Rememberall thing… what was that?"
"It's a sphere that glows red when you've forgotten something, unfortunately it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten. Anyway the git flew into the air and I was a bit ticked off so I followed him. At the time I wasn't thinking what I was doing but apparently I'm a natural."
"I could sure use that motivation now!" said Emma
"It get's easier the more you do it. In fairness you're not much rustier than I was."
Emma did find flying much more enjoyable as time went on. Soon enough the three Weasley Boys mounted their brooms and they played a little Quidditch. Because they were still new to flying Emma played alongside Fred and George and Ginny played alongside Harry and Ron. They ended up having so much fun a few times Ginny forgot to be shy around her hero. Everyone, except Emma who was still afraid that she would accidentally ram it into the ground, had a shot at Harry's Nimbus 2000.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
After Dinner that night, Harry had finally managed to have a few moments alone with his sister. They had both waited for this moment ever since the Dursley's had locked Harry's Trunk in the cupboard under the stairs. Mrs Weasley had not asked what Harry wanted to do but without hesitation told him to use the Kitchen and left the dirty dishes automatically washing themselves by magic.
Hagrid had given Harry a photo album from when there parents were still alive and when he and his sister were babies. Unfortunately Emma was only around for two months when Voldemort came. Though there was one picture in particular Harry wanted to show her more than any other, Emma was still thoroughly fascinated with the images of their parents together, before they were married and before Harry was born.
"They really do look like us." Said Emma, they were looking at a picture of a heavily Pregnant Lily Potter wrapped underneath the left arm of James in some random public park. It was a sunny day and picture James was rubbing picture Lily's stomach with his right arm and alternating between kissing his wife's cheek and her Harry-belly.
"Yeah they do." Said Harry, his mind drifted to the Mirror of Erised but he shook it from his head. James and Lily would never be able to exist with Harry and Emma like that, while that had hurt Harry more than 11 years of the Dursley's ever had, he knew had to accept that he and his sister were orphans.
"Oh look Harry it's you… You don't look very happy." Emma had turned a page in the album and sure enough there was a very young baby boy wailing his head off, if the pictures had sound Harry was sure the noise would be shattering all the eardrums in Devon. The Harry in the picture was likely only very recently born, his skin was a deep dark shade of red that one only finds with babies in the first two weeks after birth.
"I don't do I?" Harry chuckled "I guess I haven't grown all that much since then either."
Emma giggled and turned another page.
"Now that looks more like me." Said Harry, this Harry lying in a cot dressed in a red pair of Pyjamas with Gold coloured lions, very Gryffindor. This Harry was much more smiley and was fingering what appeared to be a fluffy Golden snitch in his hands. His feet were kicking up and down as the little boy played with it in fascination.
There was plenty of Harry in the book: Harry crawling towards his dad, Harry being fed mushy carrots by his Mum, Harry being held/cuddled by his Mum while his fingers discovered her long red hair, and also a picture of a one-year-old Harry sprawled on his fathers lap and innocently poking and prodding a large Emma bump.
"Em' the picture on the next page is the one I wanted to show you most of all." Said Harry, his throat was constricting as he spoke. He reached over and turned the page.
Instantly Emma saw why Harry wanted to show her. With the exception of the Mirror of Erised this was the only image of all four Potters that Harry had ever seen. It was the only image Emma would ever see.
The picture had James and Lily sitting on a sofa underneath their children. Emma was partially wrapped in blankets, but her hands were free, Harry was clad in shorts and a t-shirt. In the picture he was leaning over, with his fathers help and investigating his sisters' existence. Both infants were acting on the basic principle of grabbing hold of anything that they could reach. Of course as they were both acting on the principle they ended up trying to grab each others hands. Both had smiles on there faces and appeared to be laughing. James and Lily smiling and laughing at there kids antics.
Present day Emma looked up at her brother, there were tears in her eyes but she was smiling. "Thank you Harry!" she said.
Harry smiled back and pulled her into a hug. They simply sat at the kitchen table for quite some time, taking comfort from each other and observing that one picture. There were other pictures of both Harry and Emma in the album, but none could compare to this one picture. It was all they had of there whole family.
Suddenly the Kitchen door opened, startling both Potters. It was Mrs Weasley.
"Oh sorry I didn't know you both still… what's wrong dears." Molly noticed that Harry and Emma's eyes were red and that they had been shedding tears. She rushed over to them.
"I'm not sure anything's wrong Mrs Weasley it's just…" said Harry, he sighed, held his sister tighter and passed the album to the Weasley Matriarch.
Molly saw the picture of James, Lily, Harry and Emma – the four Potters – and felt her own heart constrict.
"Oh!" she said.
"That's the only picture with all four of us." Said Harry sadly "I only got this from Hagrid at the end of term, this is the first chance I've had to show Emma."
"Oh Emma… I'm so sorry." Said Molly, she pulled Harry and Emma into a hug.
"It's Ok Mrs Weasley." Said Emma "I would have seen it earlier but…"
There was no need to mention the Dursley's any further.
"That reminds me, Professor Dumbledore wants to come and see you both tomorrow to discuss your home life." Said Molly "I would have told you earlier but you seemed too engrossed in Quidditch."
"Thanks Mrs Weasley." Said Harry
ORACLE2PHOENIX
The next morning; Harry, Ron, Emma and Ginny were sitting at the table having breakfast when the Hogwarts letters arrived.
"What in the world?" said Ron "Why are there so many books by Lockhart?"
"Lockhart?" queried Harry, he consulted the booklist and sure enough the booklist contained seven books by a Gilderoy Lockhart and the Standard Book of spells Chapter 2.
Fred and George came downstairs and looked over Harry and Ron's shoulders
"Lockhart books…" said Fred
"Those won't be cheap." Said George
"Why not?" asked Harry, students generally weren't expected to pay much for course books, in comparison to other texts.
"They're really popular." Said George "Lockhart is a famous wizard who's been round the world encountering dark creatures. But to be honest he writes an awful lot of books; on virtually everything, from duelling to dealing with household pets."
"Oh!" said Harry "Is he any good?"
Harry suddenly found himself swamped by Mrs Weasley's descriptions of how wonderful Gilderoy Lockhart was and proceeded to show him "Gilderoy Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests".
"Um George, this guy has fought against countless dark creatures right?" asked Harry
"So he says." Said George "Why?"
"Well it's just, I could be wrong but, for a man who goes on a lot of adventures he seems to be rather… well… he seems more like he's spent more of his time at the hairdressers than going after magical creatures, and maybe the dentist too." Harry indicated the front picture of Lockhart who had his hair finely combed back and sparkly white teeth.
"I've never really thought about it before. Mum fancies him…"
"George!" said Mrs Weasley blushing
"…but then again I don't think I've met a witch who doesn't."
"He is kinda cute!" said Ginny, who immediately blushed after having spoken in the same room as Harry.
Emma looked at the picture of Lockhart, she had to admit he did look handsome or "kinda cute" as her friend put it.
Harry looked at his sister and saw her smiling at the picture, but decided it best not to say anything about it "Wonder what the listed books will be like?"
Later at lunch an owl flew in through the kitchen window and promptly collided with a jug of orange juice, which proceeded to shatter on the Kitchen floor.
"Oh Errol!" said Mrs Weasley from the stove. She cast some magic, over the jug and the spilt liquid while her son attended to the owl.
"It's Hermione's reply, I wrote and told her I'd be collecting you and Emma." Said Ron
While Molly frowned at the reminder of what her sons did with the enchanted Ford Anglia, the boys read Hermione's letter.
Dear Ronald (and Harry if you're there)
I hope whatever you do isn't going to be illegal because that could get Harry in trouble. But I must admit I am worried. Harry was writing to his sister non-stop last year and I don't think it was just because he missed her. Anyway if you are there Harry I hope you're alright, Emma too.
I got my booklist this morning and thought I might risk sending your owl back, I'm a little worried about him. I should tell you he collided with my chest of drawers when he arrived. You might want to send a reply with a different owl, I'm not sure this one will survive another trip, I'm not actually confident he'll survive this trip.
Anyway my booklist arrived this morning Mum and Dad said they'd take me to Diagon Alley next Wednesday, can you meet up? If not I'll see you on 1st September. Please let me know if Harry and Emma are okay.
Love from
Hermione
Ron read the letter out loud
"Well I guess we can meet her next Wednesday." Said Mrs Weasley "Why don't you send Hedwig back?"
"Wait what about our letter to Hagrid?" asked Emma
"Well if Professor Dumbledore is coming round, maybe we can have him pass it on." Said Harry
"Ok, then when will he be here?"
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Professor Dumbledore arrived just after 3 o'clock and sat down in the living room with the Potters and Mrs Weasley.
"It is good to finally meet you Miss Potter, I do wish it was under better circumstances though." Said Dumbledore, he didn't look very happy.
"Um it's nice to meet you too Professor." Said Emma
"Now, Arthur told me some of his and Molly's concerns." He said "I need to understand fully what your home life is like. You were locked in your room and given very little food. Is that correct?"
"Yes Professor." Said Harry
"Could you tell me what led to this situation?"
Harry and Emma explained the appearance of the strange house-elf, the fact the creature had been withholding Harry's mail and the incident with the pudding and the subsequent warning and it's consequences with the Dursley's.
"Has this sort of thing happened before?" asked Dumbledore
Harry look confused "What happened?"
"Has your uncle ever locked you in your room for long periods or denied you food for long periods?" he asked, Molly looked at the Potters carefully, she hadn't asked if this was typical of the Dursley's.
"Yeah, although this is the only time it's happened since I got my Hogwarts Letter." Said Harry "Well actually that's not true, Vernon turned on Emma a few months ago."
"Up until recently Petunia couldn't cook to save her life, so Harry and I prepare all the meals, have done for years, with Harry at Hogwarts it was just me. Vernon got sick of me constantly eating everyday and threw me out of the kitchen one day. But I wrote to Harry and he sent Hagrid round to sort things out, which he did. Unfortunately we couldn't do that this time round."
"Why would your uncle be so adverse to feeding you, you are after all his responsibility?" asked Molly
"We are but he's always hated that responsibility." Said Emma
"Before my letter came he would often keep us from getting anything to eat." Said Harry "We use to get really hungry back then. Our aunt and uncle really didn't like the idea of us getting fed at all, he on occasion simply locked us in our cupboard for days on end."
"Cupboard?" inquired Dumbledore
"Yeah our cupboard." Said Emma
"He locked you in the cupboard in your room?" asked Molly Weasley dangerously.
"No you misunderstand us." Said Harry "Sorry I should elaborate, up until my letter arrived both Emma I didn't have that room Ron and the twins pulled us out of. We slept in the cupboard under the stairs, that was our room."
"WHAT!" screamed Molly "You were kept in the cupboard under the stairs?"
Harry and Emma were a bit taken back by Molly's loud voice.
"Mrs Weasley I told you, our life there is crap. Our aunt and uncle hate us, always have. That cupboard was the only space they were willing to let us have in the house." Said Harry
"Why are you living with them if they clearly don't want you?" demanded Mrs Weasley, but she was looking at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore look very… unnerving: the twinkle that normally resided in his eyes was gone, he had a scary feel about him, and Harry and Emma believed that that emotion was targeted at their so-called relatives. "I placed the two of you there because at the time you Harry needed protection."
"Me? What about Emma?" said Harry "And how could the Dursley's protect us?
Dumbledore sighed "As I told at the end of term, your mother died to save your life. Her sacrifice gave you protection. Her blood run's through your veins and Voldemort cannot come into contact with that blood. I realised this immediately after you defeated him 11 years ago. I had Hagrid bring you to Privet Drive where I activated a series of highly complex and powerful protections. So long as you can call Privet Drive your home, Voldemort and anyone else that seeks to harm you or anyone else of the same blood as Lily Potter cannot approach your home."
"But… Why there? Why did it need to be at Privet Drive? Why not set them up somewhere else?" asked Harry
"You misunderstand Harry, these wards were based on your mothers' blood. The Wards need two people of your mothers' blood: the Protector and the Protected. You were the Protected. The Protector was and is your Aunt."
"I needed to be with a blood relative of my mothers… ok!" said Harry, then a thought hit him "Wait if it needs to be a relative of my mothers, why not have Emma Protect me?"
Emma giggled at that "Harry you've always protected me, not the other way round."
Dumbledore would normally have chuckled but he was currently too disturbed to allow himself to do so "You are correct Mr Potter, as a blood relative of your mothers Emma could have been the protector."
"Then why?" asked Harry
"Had I known you had a sister, then I would have taken you both elsewhere and set up the wards based on Emma's blood. However I was not aware of Emma's existence until Hagrid arrived with you both at Privet Drive. The method for creating the wards is complex and time was already running out. By the time I learnt that you had a sister, there was no time to set up new wards."
"So the wards couldn't be transferred or anything?" asked Emma
"The Wards must have only two specific constants: The Protector and the Protected. I could change the address with some skill. However I cannot transfer the role of Protector from your Aunt to anyone else. Harry and Petunia must coexist under the wards or they collapse."
"So what happens to us now?" asked Harry
"From what you've told me, there are sufficient grounds to put both your Aunt and Uncle in prison. However, if that happens, the wards will be lost, and while I shall do all I can too protect the both of you, the blood wards would offer protection from all Witches and Wizards that seek to harm you to an effect I simply could not match."
Harry sighed "So we've got to decide between staying with relatives that hate us and giving up our best form of magical protection? I don't know how to choose, if it was just me I'd go and never look back but…" He looked at Emma "This would protect both of us."
"Harry, I'm not sure what to do either…" said Emma
"Professor?" asked Harry "When I faced Voldemort and Quirrell at the end of last term, my Mother's blood scolded their… body." It felt weird saying it like that "If we break the protection would he be able to touch our blood?"
Professor Dumbledore sighed "Yes Harry, if the Protection goes, then Voldemort can no longer be repelled by your touch."
"And if we keep the protection then he will be repelled by Emma's blood too?" he asked further.
"Yes Harry. Both of you carry the blood of Lily Potter so both of you can repel Voldemort."
"I'm still not happy about going back to Privet Drive." Said Harry "Not if we can avoid it… but… that is some protection. Emma what do you think?"
Emma looked at Harry and thought for a second "I guess I think the same thing, that blood saved your life and it could save either of us again but… our relatives hate us and always will. They will try and starve us and curb our contact with the Wizarding World, they've done it before and they've been told off before. If we could be sure that they wouldn't try to hurt us again…"
"Might I make a suggestion?" said Dumbledore
Harry and Emma nodded.
"I can add additional protection to Privet Drive. Internal protection."
"Internal?" two Potters and a Weasley asked.
"Yes. Should you choose to return to Privet Drive I can set up a charm and tie it to the blood wards. It will effectively, as one might say, keep the Dursley's in check." Said Dumbledore.
"What sort of charm?" asked Harry
After Dumbledore explained his intentions to those present, Harry and Emma were trapped in a fit of giggles.
"Ok back to Privet Drive then?" Said Emma, Harry nodded.
"I would prefer them in prison, if I'm honest." Said Mrs Weasley "But this is your decision." She wouldn't normally approve the use of such magic but, even if she could alter the decision, she felt that the Dursley's had brought this upon themselves.
"They may yet Mrs Weasley." Said Professor Dumbledore, "Harry and Emma won't move out for six more years. If the Dursley's do not reform themselves during by that time…"
"Five years Professor, As soon as I'm seventeen we're gone from that house." Said Harry "Law be damned if necessary."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in support "Very well, that is yours and your sister's decision Harry. If you find it agreeable, I shall be visiting your relatives over the summer, I shall also accompany you both back to Privet Drive when I will set up the charm."
"Thank you Professor!" said Harry
"Thank you Professor!" said Emma, Dumbledore got up to leave, but then Emma remembered "Oh could you take this letter to Hagrid, we promised we'd contact him, but with Hedwig was locked up and all we haven't been able to?"
Dumbledore smiled. "I can do that for you Miss Potter."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Throughout there time at the Burrow Harry was introducing Emma to all the different aspects of the Wizarding World. However, now they were going to Diagon Alley, to shop for school supplies, visit Gringotts and introduce his sister to his other best friend, Hermione.
But he had something else he wanted to do, something he wanted to do since Hagrid had taken him on his 11th birthday. He got permission from Mr and Mrs Weasley and decided to go for it.
"Harry and Emma have never travelled by Floo Powder before." Said Ron
"Oh, well if you've never done it before…" said Mrs Weasley worriedly
"Oh it's easy enough." Said Fred or George "Simply do as we do." The twin took some powder and entered the chimney followed by the other twin.
Harry and Emma looked at one another and shrugged. Emma went first and found herself collapsing at the feet of the red-headed twins.
They each offered her a hand up "Thanks… there has to be an easier way to travel." Said Emma
"You get use to it." Said Fred "But it's really apparating you want to try. You can teleport anywhere with that."
A few seconds later Ron came out "Where's Harry?"
"He hasn't come through." Said Emma, she suddenly got worried "Where is he?"
"He went in just after you."
"Oh no… oh no, oh no, oh no! Emma panicked, she couldn't loose her brother, not when they had just gotten to Diagon Alley. "I'm gonna go look for him!"
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"Yer a mess Harry… What you doin wanderin down Knockturn Alley?"
"I got lost, Em' and I are at the Weasley's we were suppose to be doing our shopping today."
"Oh righ' then!" said Hagrid "I got yer letter by tha way. I should tell ye that I stopped by yer Aunt an' Uncles. Got in te a spot o' trouble though."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry
"I mighta broke tha door down… an' I mighta broke yer Uncles' wrist."
Harry's eyes widened "You didn't?" he smiled so as to reassure Hagrid.
"Ya, Dumbledore wasn' te happy. He went roun' with Madame Pomfrey and sorted 'im and the door out."
"Well so long as you didn't get into to much trouble for it?" Said Harry
"Was worth it if ye ask me." Said Hagrid. "Though Professor Dumbledore still told me off."
The two of them exited Knockturn Alley and appeared in Diagon Alley.
"Harry! Hagrid!" called a voice. Hermione Granger ran towards the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Hermione!" said Harry, he gave the bushy haired girl a quick hug.
"Everyone's been looking for you, I ran into Ron, his dad and his brothers in the Cauldron. What happened?"
"I got separated in the Floo." Said Harry
"I take it you'll be fine now Harry?" said Hagrid amusedly
"Yeah thanks."
Harry and Hermione made there way to the Leaky Cauldron.
"My Parents are at the Cauldron right now we just got the train in from…"
"HARRY!"
Harry found himself impacted by an auburn haired missile.
"Emma I'm…"
"Harry, where the hell have you been?"
"Some shop called Borgin and Burkes, Don't know how I got there."
Emma disentangled herself from her brother and looked at the girl her brother was with.
"Hello!" said Hermione
"Hello!" said Emma
"Emma this is Hermione Granger, my other best friend. Hermione this is my little sister Emma."
Hermione smiled "It's nice to mee…"
Hermione suddenly found herself engulfed in an Emma hug "Thank you, Thank you so much for writing… at the end of term."
Hermione looked a bit awkward but relaxed a little and patted Emma's back.
"So where is everyone?" asked Harry smiling at the girls.
Emma disengaged from Hermione "Well? Mrs Weasley and Ginny were just behind me."
"We are still behind you." Said Mrs Weasley, Harry, Hermione and Emma all jumped. Mrs Weasley and Ginny had been standing to the side observing the brother/sister/Hermione exchange. "Come along, it's good to see you didn't go to many grates away Harry, the others should be at the Leaky."
The party reformed at the Leaky Cauldron Pub, where Harry and Emma met Hermione's parents and the rest of the Weasley's and told them about his encounter with the Malfoys in Borgin and Burkes. After Arthur expressed his displeasure of the Malfoys, the entourage went to Gringott's Bank.
Harry escorted his sister up to a teller and said "Uh… excuse me but we'd each like to make a withdrawal from our Vaults?" He took out his own key and Emma's "This is yours by the way." He told her.
The Goblin examined the keys "Mr Potter… your… companion… needs to have her identity confirmed. It seems a security precaution was introduced. Miss if you will come with me?"
Emma looked at Harry. He was surprised by this, but he supposed it must be part of the security around Emma's existence.
"Uh Mrs Weasley." He said "Why don't you go on ahead, we'll meet you back here when we're done."
The Weasley matriarch nodded and left for the Weasley vault.
As it turns out Harry was right.
"This is just a standard procedure Miss Potter, we do this the first time all our… secret clients come in." said the Goblin once they were in a private booth.
He placed her key in a basin and flicked his hand a red see through barrier seemed to have erected itself over it.
"Please retrieve your key Miss Potter." Said the Goblin
Emma looked at Harry, she hesitated for a second then reached into the basin took out the key as if there was no barrier.
The Goblin smiled "Thank you Miss Potter."
"Out of interest would anything, regrettable have happened if Emma wasn't entitled?" asked Harry
The Goblin gave an evil smirk "Let's just say, had your sister been an imposter she, would be have been left handed from now on."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"Wow!" said Emma once they'd reached Vault 699, conveniently just a few steps from Harry's vault. "How much is this?"
The Goblin took out a sheet of parchment, scribbled on it and then handed it to Emma.
"This is all mine?" she said wide eyed
"Yes Miss Potter." Said the Goblin. "You and your brother will also have access to the Potter Family Vault when you reach the age of maturity."
"There is another vault in our name?" asked Harry
"Actually it is just in your name Mr Potter, your parents sadly left us before they could write Miss Potter here into the will, although as their daughter she has automatic limited access that you can… adjust to your discretion."
"Can we add Emma to it?" asked Harry
The Goblin chuckled "Mr Potter your devotion to your sister is admirable, but as you are due to become head of house, what assets you receive will be in your control, what you share with your sister is your choice."
"Harry, I trust you I doubt you're going to cut me out, besides this nice wee vault here will do me just fine for now. I think I'm done." She said
"Me too, I'm taking you clothes shopping too Emma."
Emma scowled "Fine but I get to buy you clothes as well. Sorry Mr Goblin sir I'll be two more seconds."
The Goblin chuckled at Emma's playful attitude, virtually anyone else who called him "Mr Goblin sir" would offend him but he could tell Emma was harmless, little did she know that a 12-year-old Miss Evans greeted him in the same manner many years ago as a teller.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Reuniting with the Weasley's on the surface, Harry noticed Hermione's parents exchanging Sterling for Galleons. Harry decided it might be an idea to do the opposite.
"You never know, I can think of half a dozen times I could have done with regular money." He said
Emma, seeing his logic, too got some Muggle Money too.
Mr Weasley went off for a Drink with the Doctors Granger, while Mrs Weasley directed the others.
"Well I suggest we meet in Flourish and Blotts in an Hour to get our books, try and get everything else in the meantime."
"An hour might not be long enough Mrs Weasley, Emma and I both need clothes, in addition to her robes and there is also that…" Harry trailed off and looked at Emma.
Mrs Weasley's eyes widened in understanding and nodded "We'll try for an hour, if we're not all finished the rest of us can hang around." Harry nodded
"What is also?" asked Emma
"It's a surprise, come on let's start with robes, hopefully you won't meet your mortal enemy in there like I did." Said Harry
"Surprise?" said Emma quizzically.
The group entered Madam Malkin's, while Ginny tried on second-hand robes and Harry tried on Muggle clothes and Wizard clothes, Emma got fitted. Thankfully there wasn't a Draco Malfoy equivalent spouting blood prejudice, or anyone else for that matter. When she was done she joined her brother in trying on new clothes.
Harry discovered to his horror however that every member of the female Gender, including the one member of that portion who had never been clothes shopping before, had an inbuilt desire to offer opinions and insist upon them. Needless to say 25 minutes later Harry was thankful to get out of there.
"Right shall we split up and meet at Flourish and Blotts?" suggested Mrs Weasley
Harry wanted to go shopping with his friends and his sister, but he didn't want to separate Emma from her new best friend so quickly "Mrs Weasley, how about we take Ginny and Emma with us? You can go join Mr Weasley and Hermione's parents and meet us at the bookstore?"
"What?" said Ron, Harry wanted to go around with Ginny?
Mrs Weasley looked taken aback "Oh I don't know Harry, I think I'd rather Ginny…"
"Mrs Weasley Ginny will be fine, she's nearly 11," said Hermione "We'll take care of her… and Emma."
Mrs Weasley still looked reluctant but nodded "Come and find me if there is a problem." She had to accept that Ginny was growing up.
"Y…you really w…want me to c…come shopping with you?" asked Ginny stutteringly to Harry.
"Sure why not," said Harry "I wanna take my sister shopping, but I'm not gonna keep her new friend away from her am I?"
Ginny Blushed and with great difficulty tried looking at Harry as he spoke.
"Anyway thanks for not being as picky about my choice of clothes."
"Uuh?" said Ginny
"Harry we weren't being picky, I just didn't like those shorts… or those two shirts, or…"
"Hermione you were picky." Said Ron "You both were… and Mum."
"Well excuse us for having an opinion Ronald." Said Ginny
"Don't worry Ginny, you're excused." Said Harry
Ginny face went red hot.
"You on the other hand." Harry looked at Emma, who smirked and stuck her tongue out in response.
"Anyway we've got half-an-hour to finish shopping." Said Ron
"Right, let's start with a trunk." Said Harry
They stuffed their clothes in Emma's trunk then went to get potions ingredients, a cauldron, brass scales, a telescope, some phials and dragon hide gloves. Emma and Ginny only needed a wand and their books now. But Harry had other plans.
"Come on Emma, I'm going to get you a Birthday present." Said Harry
"You're what?" said Emma
"A Birthday present, like Hagrid did last year, only you can use Hedwig when you need to send a letter and no one really likes toads, so I thought I'd get you a kitten." Said Harry.
Ginny and Hermione squealed in excitement, while Emma was stunned speechless.
Finding her breath she said "Harry, are you sure…"
"Yeah, Mr and Mrs Weasley said it was ok to have one round the Burrow, the Hogwarts letters said cats are allowed and who cares what the Dursley's think." Said Harry "Now come on!" he quick marched her into the Magical Menagerie.
Hermione, Ginny and Ron followed with high levels of amusement.
"Are you sure about this Harry?" said Emma
"Hagrid got me Hedwig, let me get you a kitten." Said Harry
Emma gave Harry a quick hug as the stern-looking owner approached the pair of them.
"Can I help you?" he asked
"Yes!" said Harry "Emma here needs a birthday present, I'd like to buy her a kitten."
"Alright, if you'll come this way, I have new batch of Kneazle Kittens, just ready today for adoption."
"Kneazles?" asked Harry
The store owner looked at them "Ah never heard of them before, Muggle-born?" he asked.
"We're as good as." Said Harry. "No we've never heard of Kneazles before."
"Ah well basically they look like ordinary cats but they are far more peculiar. There life spans are twice as long, as such they grow slower and are considered kittens for a little over a year. They're also far more intelligent than your average creature. They can sense your feelings and moods and are very good at responding to them. Unfortunately they can also be a bit moody, but probably no more than some traditional cats."
Emma smiled "I think I'd like a Kneazle!" said Emma eagerly.
The stern-faced owner smiled at the auburn haired girl "I'm afraid it's a bit more complex than that Miss, Kneazles choose their master or mistress, not the other way round. If none of the Kneazles desire you, then I'm afraid I can't sell one to you, sorry, but it's considered cruelty to do so."
Emma frowned and looked down "I bet none of them want me."
"Well it can't hurt to try." Said Harry "It can't right?" he asked
"So sir, it can't." the man chuckled "Miss if you'll come through here I can test you?"
Emma followed the owner with everyone else following behind. They entered a room with cages of kittens of all kinds circling around the edges of the room. In the centre of the room was a white circle.
"Please sit on the stool in the white circle." Said the owner, Emma did so. "When I open the cages start turning around on the spot."
"Ok!" said Emma. She sat on the stool and waited.
The owner flicked his wand and the cages all opened. In each cage the occupants looked up and noticed the door was open and began to eye the human on the white spot. There were a series of "Mews!" all around but no kitten left the cage.
That was until a rather high pitched "Mew!" was made and a little black and white kitten trotted out of it's cage, it's hind legs collapsing on the floor as it moved and it's tiny tail twitching. Everyone watched as it approached Emma "Mew!" He rubbed himself against her legs.
"Hello there. Oh you're so gorgeous!" Emma got down on her knees and began scratching his head, under the chin and behind the ears.
"Mew!" the kitten squeaked. He placed his front paws on Emma's knees and began rubbing his head against her leg through her skirt, then climbed up and settled on Emma's lap. This kitten really loved the Auburn haired girl.
"I think you've found your Kneazle Miss." Said the Owner happily. "If you'd like to come through we'll get your new friend to his new home."
Emma was unsure how to unseat this creature without offending it, but on instinct she whispered "I need to take you through so my brother can pay for you, would you come with us please?"
"Mew!" the kitten got up, stretched his tiny wee body and trotted along towards Harry and the others. Halfway between them and Emma he turned his head and went "Mew! Mew!"
Emma stood up and followed the happy little kitten through to the other room.
"Would it be ok if I carried you?" Emma asked the kitten.
To her continued surprise the Kitten stopped in its tracks gave a "Mew!" and let Emma pick him up. He sat in her arms and made the most adorable purring sounds and rubbed his face against Emma's arms and chest.
The store owner ran his wand over the kitten and then tapped a piece of parchment "Ok you Kneazle is six weeks and two days old, male, 7lbs. would you like a cat box as well?"
"Yeah, we'll be going to Hogwarts in a few weeks." Said Harry
The owner smiled in understanding and took out a box, Harry also ended up buying cat litter and cat food for the Kitten. Extra's included Harry paid 16 Galleons and had a very, very happy Emma.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"Ok I just need a wand now!" said Emma "and of course my books."
"Right let's go to Ollivander's." Said Harry, he Emma and Hermione missed the sad looks on Ron and Ginny's faces.
They entered the Wand Shop and placed the kitten in the cat box on the fragile looking chair in the corner.
"Greetings!" said a voice, making them all jump. Ollivander the wand-maker, appeared behind them.
He looked over the nearly-11 and 12-year-olds before him.
His eyes settled on the Auburn haired Girl "Ah Miss Potter, I was told you'd be here soon."
There were sudden exchanges of worried looks "How do you know about Emma?" demanded Harry.
The old man smiled at Harry "Harry Potter: Holly, eleven inches, Phoenix Feather, Nice and Supple."
"Yes, but…"
"Professor Dumbledore informed me of you sister, and also asked for my silence on her existence for now. I assure you, I have not, nor will I reveal your existence Miss Potter."
"Thank you!" said Emma
Ollivander looked towards the others, having only seen one of them before "Miss Hermione Granger: Vine Wood, ten and three-quarter inches, Dragon Heart-String, Quite Rigid."
"Err yes?" Said Hermione unsurely, only Ollivander would identify someone by there wand.
"Mr Weasley, Miss Weasley. I have yet to assign the two of you wands. Are you here to get yours alongside Miss Potter's?"
"No sir," said Ron a little unhappily "We're just here with our friends."
Harry looked at Ron and Ginny. "That's right they can't get wands of their own." He looked at Emma and saw that she was thinking the same thing. They nodded "Actually Mr Ollivander I think we shall get the Weasley's wands while they're here."
"What?" said Ginny
"Harry don't…" said Ron
"Why not. Ginny it's your birthday soon, I can get you a wand." Said Emma
"Harry, Wands are 7 galleons a piece, I'm not sure Mum would…" said Ron
"We'll make it your birthday present too." Said Emma
"Emma stop."
"No Ron's right Emma." Said Harry
"Thanks anyway Harry." Said Ron misunderstanding his best friend.
"His Birthday's not till March, make it his Christmas and Ginny Birthday." Finished Harry
"Harry I don't know." Said Ron
"Don't bother Emma, but thanks anyway." Said Ginny
"How about I donate too?" said Hermione "Each of us contribute towards Ron's Christmas and Ginny's Birthday present?"
"I'm still not sure." Said Ron he was definitely leaning towards it though… his own wand.
Emma then had an idea "Ron, Ginny how much money do you have on you."
The Weasley's looked at Emma in surprise but checked anyway.
"Just under three Galleons!" said Ron
"Just over two." Said Ginny
"How about each of you put forward a Galleon and Harry, Hermione and I will put forward two for each of you? Would that make you feel better?" said Emma
Ron and Ginny looked to the non-Weasley's in the shop "Are you guys really sure?"
There were three nods "We'll even help explain this to your Mum!" said Harry "She has looked after us for over a week and is planning to for over two weeks, still. This is the least we can do."
Ginny and Ron relaxed, well Ron relaxed and Ginny blushed and refused to look at the male Potter, but she seemed more comfortable.
"So that's three wands." Said Harry to Ollivander.
"Splendid." He said and proceeded to measure the three of them with his magical measuring tape. Then he pulled just three wands from the shelves.
"Let's start with Miss Potter then. This one is Holly, thirteen and a half inches, Dragon Heart String, Rather Bendy."
Emma took the wand and felt a little tingle in her hand.
"Nope." Said Ollivander snatching it away from her "But close, it seems I was right, you are a lot like your brother, I think one of these will work though."
Ollivander took one of the remaining wands "Try this: Cherry, fourteen and three-quarter inches, Unicorn Hair, Unyielding."
Emma held the wand but, while she felt a warm tingle, it was even less noticeable than the Dragon Heartstring wand, so Ollivander took it back.
"If I'm right about you this wand should be your chosen match." He said "Willow, six inches, Phoenix Feather, Pliable."
Emma took the little wand and the difference was immediately noticeable. As a stong comfortable warm feeling shot up her arm, Emma gave the wand a small swish and red sparks shot out the end of it
"Oh excellent." Said Ollivander. "That is a particularly fine and powerful Wand Miss Potter, much like that of your brothers and all Phoenix Wands. I think it is clear we can expect great things from you as well. That Wand was the first Phoenix wand I ever made, I never planned to give it to just anyone. But I feel confident that you are meant to have it."
"How can you be sure?" said Emma, stunned that she had her own wand.
"The Wand chooses the Wizard Miss Potter, no one is absolutely certain why it choose him. But the fact that is has chosen you means we can expect great things from you. After all few phoenix wands have not achieved great things in there time."
Emma was a little shocked by what Ollivander said. The only reply she could come up with was "But I'm a witch."
Ollivander smiled at her "You'll still do fine!" He moved on to testing Ron and Ginny, Emma soon forgot whatever anxieties Ollivander gave her and focused on watching her friends in amusement.
After about ten minutes Ron emerged as the happy owner of: Willow, fourteen inches, Unicorn Hair wand and Ginny emerged with one of Hazel, eleven and a quarter inches, Dragon Heartstring.
When they exited they realised there hour was up 15 minutes ago. Following a quick march, they arrived to find the book shop, Flourish and Blotts, absolutely packed with Witches… and the odd Wizard… and it soon became clear why:
GILDEROY LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12.30 – 4.30 pm
"Ooh! Does this mean we actually get to meet him? In Person?" squealed Hermione excitedly.
"Do we have to?" said Ron exasperatedly
"Ron while I share your pain, Defence is an important subject." Said Harry "My best one to, if whatever teacher we're getting has chosen these books I want to make sure the author is at least adequate. I don't want another crap Defence Professor."
"What was wrong with Quirrell? I Thought we did fine last year, you know asides from trying to kill you and stuttering all the time." Said Ron
"Quirrell taught us very little practical work Ron, he only taught us the theory behind counter-jinxes, and using them was on the practical exam. Can you honestly say you would have passed if Hermione and I hadn't forced you to learn and practise what we researched?" said Harry
"I guess you're right, but Harry the positions cursed, no one's lasted more than a year, we have to take the Defence Professor we can get." Said Ron
"All the more reason to check." Said Emma "I mean this Lockhart looks pretty cute, I'll admit but…"
"You think he's cute?" asked Harry
"A little." Blushed Emma
"Let's just go in, buy what we need and get out." Said Ron
"But I want to see Lockhart." Whined Hermione
"Come on!" said Harry firmly.
The group forced there way into the book shop. After letting Mrs Weasley know where they were they each sought to get there books.
With some effort Harry forced his way through the crowd to pick up two copies of the Standard book of Spells Grade 2 (for him and Hermione) and one Grade 1 (For Emma). He would happily have bought books for the Weasley's but he knew they would never let him.
Heading back he had to pass the Defensive magic section, where he assumed Lockhart's Books were; they weren't. Harry did however stop to look. He found The Hex and Jinx Manual: Beginner to Intermediate which had proved very useful, the previous year, thanks to the Flipendo Jinx he had been able to fight Voldemort, and this book taught him the theory of the jinx much better than Quirrell did in class. He had been taking it out as a library book but decided that he may need it again so picked up his own copy. Then noticing a book 2, Intermediate to Advanced, and a Book 3, Advanced and Mastery, he took them as well. Also he picked up two further books: Duelling and Combat: a Hit Wizards Guide, and Curses: there Uses and The Consequences of Those Uses. Harry also picked up Magical Theory and The Dark Forces: a Guide to Self-Protection for Emma. He then made his way over to the 'nature' section where he found his sister picking up her copies of Magical Drafts and Potions and One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.
"I take it you found some extra reading material?" asked Emma
"Yup." Said Harry "You?" he asked noticing more than First Year Course books in her hands, Potions books.
"Yeah, I really want to have a shot on my new cauldron, do you think Mrs Weasley would let me experiment at the Burrow?"
"I'm sure something will be arranged." Said Mr Weasley appearing behind Emma along with the Doctors Granger. "Have the two of you got everything?"
"I'm still missing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Ron went off to find it for me. Hermione and Ginny are getting her, mine and Harry's Lockhart Books." Said Emma "How about you Harry."
"Just need the Lockhart Books, I've also got Hermione a copy of the Standard Book of Spells as well as us, we just had to arrive the day of a Book signing." Sighed Harry. "I'll go help Hermione and Ginny, they've got to carry 14 books through a mass of enthusiasts."
Everyone chuckled at Harry's observation and let him delve into the crowds. As he was making his way through however, just as he noticed Hermione and Ginny struggling with the mass of books, a voice said "It can't be, Harry Potter?"
Every head in the surrounding crowd turned to face Harry, while Harry turned to face the source of the voice. Harry sized up Gilderoy Lockhart. Much like on Mrs Weasley's book Lockhart looked like he spent more time on his appearance than practising any expertise in magic, particularly the kind involved in travelling the world battling dark creatures.
But he was taken out of his musings as a photographer for the Daily Prophet grabbed hold of him and thrust him towards the Blond haired author, who rather enthusiastically pulled Harry next to him.
"Smile Harry together you and I can make the front page."
After a series of Photographs of a cheery Lockhart and a thoroughly perplexed Boy-Who-Lived, Lockhart had something to say, something later Harry, and so many other students of Hogwarts, would look back on and cringe with a vengeance. "Ladies and Gentlemen this is most extraordinary. When young Harry Potter came in Flourish and Botts to purchase his copy of my autobiography: Magical Me, he had no idea that he would be receiving my entire collective works," said works he had a shop assistant hand to him, so he could force them into Harry's arms "Free of Charge!" cue camera flash "He and his friends also didn't realise that they would soon get the real magical me. Yes Ladies and Gentlemen I have great pleasure in announcing that I shall be teaching Defence against the Dark Arts this year at Hogwarts School at Witchcraft and Wizardry."
There was a general round of applause at this announcement. Harry noticed that Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley were smiling and clapping enthusiastically, The Doctors Granger and Mr Weasley looked neutral but amused at Harry's embarrassment, the twins looked highly amused at Harry's embarrassment, Percy was reading a book about Prefects and appeared uninterested in the whole thing and Ron and, to Harry's approval, Emma wore incredulous looks at everything that happened. It seemed that Emma was not going to be a Lockhart fan like Hermione and Mrs Weasley were.
He struggled his way through the crowds to Ginny, whose cauldron was being used to store the bought books. "You take these, I can buy my own." Said Harry
"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter." Came a drawling, arrogant voice "Famous Harry Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave him alone, he didn't want that." Snapped Ginny, unlike virtually every other time… well unlike every other time she had spoken in his presence, Ginny was not the least bit shy or embarrassed or playing Quidditch.
"Oh look Potter you've got yourself a girlfriend." Mocked the Malfoy
Harry glared at Malfoy. Just then Emma showed up with a several books under her right arm and a cat box in her right. "You owe me about 15 or 16 Galleons Harry, but we can work out the…" she stopped and immediately tensed when she realised her brother was squaring off. She dropped the books into the cauldron.
"More Weasley girls sucking up to you Potter, you really have fallen low."
"First a Dursley, now a Weasley? This time it must be the red hair, Oh well!" thought Emma "Say Harry, is this the Blond haired ponce who through a tantrum in the hospital wing claiming you were trying to smuggle a dragon?"
"Wha… there was a… ponce? Shut up… You…" Draco stuttered and glared at Emma, who laughed in his face.
Ron and Hermione came forward with their own books.
"Oh it's you!" said Ron sneering down at Malfoy with distaste "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here."
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a book shop Weasley, I suppose you'll go hungry for a month in order to pay for this." Malfoy sneered back.
Ron threw his books into Ginny's cauldron and made to lunge at Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione held him back.
"Children it's mad in here let's go outside." Said Mr Weasley, Hermione's parents, and the twins were right behind him.
"Well, well, Arthur Weasley!" said a sneering voice that held much more professionalism than that of its son.
"Lucius." Said Arthur.
Mr Malfoy took one of Ginny's books out, made a demeaning comment about the Weasley's being poor and made some derogatory remark about Muggles to the Grangers face. Then he and Mr Weasley fists.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Back at the Leaky Molly was scolding Arthur for fighting.
"In front of the children, Arthur. I'm sorry you had to witness my Husband's… he doesn't normally…" Molly addressed the Grangers.
"Don't worry about it," said Mr Granger "If he'd talked much longer I probably would have done the same thing." Mr Malfoy, had not impressed the Grangers in the slightest.
Meanwhile Hermione was saying goodbye "It was nice to finally meet you in person Emma." She said hugging the younger Potter. She then addressed the cat box with the black and white miniscule thing residing inside "I'm going to miss you most of all, try not to grow up between now and 1st September."
"Mew!"
"Hermione we need to go or we'll miss the train." Said her Mum
"Yes Mum!" she said. Hermione hugged her boys one more time and said "I'll see you on the train.
Harry and Emma once more had to ride the Floo. It was definitely not their favourite way to travel."