I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

Chapter 13

The headmaster surveyed the two girls as they entered his office. His eyes were immediately drawn to Jade, and his eyebrows furrowed. He didn't say anything, though, until Liza and Jade took their seats in front of his desk.

"You wanted to see me, Miss Dunst?" Professor Dumbledore asked politely. "Though I am under the impression that Miss Black doesn't." Before Jade had a chance to say anything, Liza piped up.

"Yes, professor," Liza glanced hesitantly at Jade, but continued anyways. "All year, Jade's been acting really different. She's really falling behind in her classes, and doesn't really talk to anyone anymore. She looks like death" – She looked apologetically at Jade – "And never seems to get any sleep. She's been like that ever since the end of last year. I was hoping that you would be able to help her."

Liza settled back in her chair, her speech finished. There were a few minutes of silence as Professor Dumbledore studied Jade intently. Jade felt as if he was actually looking into her soul. She had started to squirm uncomfortably as the door to the study suddenly opened.

"You wanted to see me Professor–" Sarah started to say as she walked into the office. She stopped as she saw Jade and Liza peering at her quizzically. "Um, Professor Flitwick said that you wanted to talk to me." She stood hesitantly in the doorway. Professor Dumbledore smiled and flicked his wand, and a third chair appeared next to Jade's. Sarah sat down, looking questioningly at Jade, who shrugged.

"Now, Miss Dunst," Dumbledore turned back to Liza. "I appreciate your coming to see me, but I must ask that you leave the tree of us to speak in private. If they wish, Jade and Sarah can tell you about it later, but they may wish to keep it to themselves." Liza nodded, and stood up. She half-smiled at Jade, and hastily left the room.

"So," Dumbledore seemed oddly at ease, while Jade and Sarah sat rigidly still in their seats. "Not that we're alone, we should get started." Dumbledore paused, as if thinking of what to say. "I've been watching the two of you this year," he continued. "I don't say this to cause offence, but Sarah has been much batter at hiding her problems that you have, Jade." Jade said nothing, but Sarah shifted slightly in her seat. Dumbledore looked at her searchingly.

"Although," Dumbledore said, "Sarah, I do believe that you have just as many problems as your sister."

There was a moment of silence while Jade and Sarah looked at each other uneasily. They hadn't told Dumbledore about their meeting with their parents at the end of the year before, and weren't planning on it. They'd sworn Harry, Ron and Hermione to secrecy once it was all over. They were all silent until Jade mustered up the courage to speak.

"Professor, we're fine," Jade said. "We've just had some stuff happen to us, and it's just been a rough year. We'll be fine."

"No, you're not," Dumbledore said sharply. "What about your little incident last night? You seemed very distressed."

"I put a spell on you."

"What!?" Jade furiously exclaimed. "You can't do that! It's outrageous!"

"It was the only way to get you to come see me."

"You could have just called me to your study. You didn't have to-"

"Yes I did. You might not have come."

"Well…" Jade wanted vehemently to deny the accusation, but couldn't. She'd skipped too many detentions to be considered as trustworthy. She avoided answering. "Why did you want to see me?"

"I wanted to discuss something with you."

"Like I said before, we're fine," Jade insisted. "Really. It's just-"

"Jade, maybe we aren't okay." Sarah slowly said. She was tugging on her lip with her teeth, obviously nervous. "We've –" she looked hesitantly at Dumbledore, "– we've been through some crap lately."

"If you're referring to the incident of last year, 'crap,' is an understatement."

Sarah looked incredulously at Dumbledore. "Who told you?" she demanded. "Only Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew. Professor Snape didn't remember that he saw us."

"Yes, he did." Dumbledore replied. "It is possible for a teacher to lie."

"But – why didn't he give us detention?" Sarah asked. She still had a disbelieving look on her face.

"Because I told him not too. I knew that you had much more pressing matters to think about."

"Really, we're fine," Jade insisted. "Yes, we finally met mum and dad. I don't care about them."

"Yes you do." Sarah sighed. Jade turned her eyes on her sister. "You don't like them – that's for sure – but you were affected by what happened, just like I was."

Traitor, Jade mouthed at her sister, but the look in her eyes said that she didn't mean it. Then a look of sadness twisted her features. "Professor, you know what they did. How can you expect us not to be affected by it?"

"I do expect you to feel something because of it," Dumbledore said. "But it isn't good for you to keep all of your anger and contempt inside you. That's why when I saw Jade had come here, I decided that it was time."

Dumbledore abruptly stood up. Jade and Sarah were taken aback, and looked at each other enquiringly. Dumbledore walked off to a cupboard to the right of his desk. He opened it, and pulled out a shallow stone basin. He set it on the desk so that the Black sisters could see its contents. There was a silvery substance slowly trickling around inside, and both girls had the sudden desire to touch it, to see what it felt like. But they knew better than to poke some unknown substance.

"This is a Pensieve," Dumbledore explained. The girls were staring at it curiously. "Have you ever felt that you simply couldn't fit any more thoughts into your head?" the girls were about to shake their heads, but the Headmaster didn't pause to let them answer. "This Pensieve lets you store your memories there, to review and watch whenever you'd like. I would like to show you a few memories of your parents. It's a short one, but it should show you something. Would that be alright?"

Sarah nodded slowly. Jade hesitated, but then answered, "Okay."

Dumbledore tapped the Pensieve lightly with his wand. "Go ahead," he said with a smile. The girls looked at each other once more, and then unanimously touched the silvery liquid swirling below them. The world lurched suddenly, and the twins spiralled inside the Pensieve.

It started off dark, but it gradually grew lighter. The girls saw, to their surprise, the one of Hogwarts' courtyards, where they saw the young versions of Sirius and Lyndasty Black. Their fingers intertwined as they gently kissed. They were smiling broadly as they broke apart.

"So," Lyndasty said teasingly. "How was the Divination exam?"

"Horrible," Sirius groaned. "I can't believe I even signed up for that load of crap."

Lyndasty let out a tinkling laugh. "I told you not to. But no, the almighty James was taking it, so it must be okay."

"Would you stop calling him that? He's my best friend."

"And I'm fine with that, but it doesn't mean I have to like him."

Sirius sighed, but still had a smile on his face. "I suppose he can be a pain sometimes. And I mean sometimes. He's usually fine."

"Okay." They kissed again.

"So," Sirius said casually, "how was your Transfiguration exam?"

"I don't think I failed," Lyndasty said hopefully.

"Always looking on the bright side, I see."

Lyndasty laughed her chiming laugh. "I love you."

The memory faded as the two of the embraced. Suddenly, the sisters were back in the Headmaster's office where professor Dumbledore was silently waiting for them.

"They were good people," The headmaster said softly. "It wasn't their fault that the Dark Lord came and ruined their lives."

"I'm sorry, professor," Jade's face was stony, but it looked like it was fighting to hold back tears. "But I can't believe that."

She glanced quickly at Sarah, and swiftly exited the office.

A/N

That took FOREVER! I am so sorry, but I haven't been on the computer a lot, and I had a crushing amount of writer's block. But I'm back, and will have the next chapter up ASAP! –Lyndasty Black