Chapter 10 – Letter

The next morning, when Nissa woke up, everything came back to her; the capture, the fight, Fred telling everyone. She sighed and went to sit up, Madame Pomfrey came bustling in holding a piece of paper in her hand and a bottle of recuperation potion in the other. "Morning, Nissa. How are you feeling?" she asked looking concerned.

How was she feeling? There was an ache in her ribs and she felt tired but not as bad as yesterday. Her head also felt a little fuzzy. "Umm… ok I guess." She really couldn't be bothered with Madame Pomfrey; as much as she was caring, she was also annoying.

"Well, what hurts dear? How are your ribs, I used skele-grow so they should be better now. You're very lucky, someone was looking over you. You managed to escape brain damage!" She exclaimed "Oh and George wanted me to give you this. He is a right trouble maker; it took me two hours to get him to go. Two!" She said, looking not at all amused. She bustled over and gave her the piece of paper, then left.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She mumbled; secretly, quite happy that George fought that long to stay with her. She took the piece of paper and read it. It was scrawled quickly and was crumpled at the edges; presumably, where Madame Pomfrey had tried to get it off him quickly.

Nissa, my beautiful doe.

Sorry I had to leave. I tried to stay but Pomfrey was getting all worked up about you needing rest and all that. I will be back as soon as I can, by your side. I have talked to Fred and he didn't mean to upset you, I'll let him explain. Harry is still sleeping at the moment a few bed's down from yours, he'll come round don't worry.

I better go, she is glaring at me.

George

Xxx

She smiled to herself and re-read it. Harry is still sleeping at the moment a few bed's down from yours. Oh no, what is he going to say. Should she give him the letter to read now, obviously it's important but… Her train of thought was interrupted as the curtain opened revealing a raven haired boy looking slightly angry. She went to talk but he stopped her, "Nissa, you better bloody explain what's going on right now! I trusted you! I put my life on the line to save you from the death eaters and you go and betray me. Why didn't you tell me?" He was getting louder and louder, Madame Pomfrey must have left for a bit otherwise she would be here like as shot. She gulped and started explaining,

"Harry, I didn't tell you because I was scared ok? I have lived in an orphanage all my life knowing two names who were my supposed parents. I had no clue that they were wizards till I came here, as far as I knew Sirius…dad… was a murderer! I was having enough problems with Draco blimin Malfoy without everyone knowing I was a murderer's daughter. And Lily…mum… I knew nothing about except she was your mum as well I was confused. I wanted to tell someone but then after what happened at Malfoy Manor the first time, I was scared. What if they did the same thing, whoever I told."

Harry was stunned into silence, a million questions filled his head but he didn't know where to start.

"Look, Harry I am sorry. Dumbledore gave me a letter about it. I haven't read it, It's addressed to both of us." She opened her locket, pulled out the miniaturised letter and cast engorgio.

He warily came over to her and sat on the chair next to her bed, "Open it Nissa, let's see what's going on." He sounded a little bit less angry and more curios.

My darlings, Nissania and Harry.

I know you must have so many questions, the first point I must tell you is that I never cheated on James. Nissania your father is one of my best friends, Sirius and I got drunk on graduation and had a one-night stand, it never happened again and I was not with James at the time. I got pregnant and by the time I found out I was already with James. I didn't know what to do, James is a great man but looking after his best friend's child was something I couldn't ask him to do. I made up the story of going on a tour of Wizarding Schools for a year around the world so I could have Nissania and talk to Sirius. We decided it was best to put you in the orphanage while we sorted it all out, Sirius had his reservations but it was for the best. I hope you forgive me; I only wanted what was best for you.

Harry, I had you shortly afterwards. Nissania as far as I knew you were ok, the orphanage had sent me letters saying you were getting on fine. I hoped one day to see you again.

Please forgive me. I am writing this letter because I am in hiding, Voldemort is after us. Harry will be ok I will make sure of it and if the worst happens you need to know. I will tell James after this is all over, I can't bear to have you away any more Nissania.

All my love and wishes,

Bye darlings

Xx

They were both lost in deep thought for a moment, Nissa was sobbing her eyes out. Completely overwhelmed if it wasn't for Voldemort she would have lived with her family, had a normal childhood. There is no point dwelling on the past though, if Harry forgave her then she could have a brother, some family. Even if on-one but George and Harry forgave her she would be ok, she would have a family. She needed to be 100% honest with Harry from now; she would start with her animagus form. Maybe he was one too?

Harry was shocked, hurt and a little excited. He was shocked because he had gone from having no immediate family except Sirius, to having an older sister.

Sister

That word was swimming around his head, the hurt came in now. She had been in the same country, same school for his whole life and he had never been able to get close to her. She had been tortured and kidnapped and he wasn't there to protect her to save her from the hurt. Why had no-one told him or her? She was in the same house as Sirius and he never told either of them. The future was looking good for him; he had Ginny and now Nissa as well.

"Harry? Can I show you something? I understand if you're mad at me but please?" She asked hopefully, she was excited to have a family but maybe he wasn't.

He brightened up, she was obviously not mad at him. She still however thought he was mad at her. "Nissa, I'm not mad at you. It's not your fault. I understand you were scared after what you have been through, I would be too!" She got out of bed and took a deep breath. Concentrating on her animagus form, she felt her body tingle and legs grow. She gracefully went onto 4 legs and her face grew to that of a doe.

He stared at her, she was beautiful! Her orange fur had tiny specks of black in it like her hair. Her unique eyes stood out against her body, they looked a bit nervous. He also got up and showed her something he had only ever shown Sirius before. He concentrated and felt his body also change into a magnificent young stag, with ring shaped markings around its eyes. He went over to her and they had a conversation just with their eyes, they turned to the curtain when they heard a door opening and immediately changed back laughing.

They returned back in their beds, and she heard Harry shouting. "Bye big sis!" She lay back down with a smile and flood of relief.