Chapter fourteen

"Sometimes it is better to begin the journey, to get under way; than it is to sit back and wait until such time that you're convinced that all conditions are perfect and that there'll be no surprises along route."

By

John Engler.

Landing outside the wards of the property, Storm stood still for a moment the shock of the kiss still trying to set in until the cold wafted over her making her shiver. Not for the first time she was thankful for house elves and at this point she was very grateful that the house elves had cleared a path for her because right now her feet were freezing. Pulling her shawl closer she looked up and began the long trek up to the manor. Yet as she walked she couldn't help but touch her lips remembering the kiss Damien had given her just before leaving.

Arriving at the front doors, she swiftly opened them and sighed gratefully when warmth surrounded her frozen feet.

"Thank Merlin." She whispered while shutting the door but just as she was about to walk further into the entrance hall when a bright light appeared followed by two people and a trunk. Blinking she shook her head before concentrated on the pile.

"Oh I hate portkeys." Came her sister's voice as she pushed herself up. "And people barging into rooms while you're trying to escape."

"Escape! I found you trying to run away again." Came a male voice that Storm instantly recognized as that of Sirius Black. "Why were you trying to run away anyway!"

"SIRIUS!" She exclaimed catching both their attention as Tempest turned to look her while Sirius looked up from the ground a look of panic on his face.

"Storm!" Tempest exclaimed while jumping to her feet. "I can so explain!"

"I can only guess that he walked in on you when you were getting ready to leave." Storm remarked while walking over. "He is far too curious for his own good."

"That he is." Tempest agreed while hugging Storm who hugged her back.

"So Sirius, confused or what?" Storm asked while looking at her godfather who was still on the ground looking at them as though they were aliens.

"I am really confused right now."

"I bet you would be. First introductions, Sirius please meet Tempest Dumbledore." Storm introduced while Tempest gave a teasing bow.

"Dumbledore… but you were at Grimmauld place…" Sirius stuttered causing Tempest to laugh.

"That is something we can explain. But first, do you want to get changed Stormy, I mean you're beautiful and all but I think pajamas could come in handy at the moment." Tempest remarked.

"I think that would be a good idea, my feet are killing me." She agreed before turning to Sirius who was still on the ground, confused.

"You wouldn't mind bringing him to sitting room while I get changed?" She asked.

"Not at all." Tempest agreed.

"Thanks and Sirius, the floor isn't very comfortable." She laughed before walking off leaving her godfather with her sister.

"She's right you know; it isn't very comfortable." Tempest laughed while taking her wand and waiving it at the trunk, sending it to her room as the man got to his feet. "Storm will return shortly, why don't you follow me, I'll lead you to the sitting room, I'm sure the house elves have realized that we've arrived and have some food prepared."

"Wait a minute if you're not Storm then why were you at Hogwarts?" Sirius asked.

"That is part of the explications so you'll have to wait for Storm." Tempest remarked as she began to walk away.

Looking around Sirius hurried to follow her, it didn't take long for them to arrive in the sitting room, and to Sirius' shock he found a platter of food and hot drinks set up on the table. Sitting down he looked up to stare at the girl who had been pretending to be his goddaughter.

He couldn't really tell a difference between her and Storm, which scared him because he knew Storm didn't have a twin, James and Lily didn't have twins.

"Ah it feels good to be in pajamas." Came Storm's voice that had him turning to see her walking into the sitting room. As soon as she sat down beside the other girl Sirius felt is head spinning. Both girls had their hair pulled into the same ponytail, and the only thing that was different was the clothes. Apart from that, they looked just the same.

"You're really going to have to explain this to me because I am confused. I know James and Lily didn't have twins but the evidence in front of me is telling me something else." Sirius stated causing both girls to smile.

"Well you are correct in that statement, my parents didn't have twins Sirius but there was something that nobody ever knew, something very important that protected both Tempest and I from more harm." Storm whispered. "I think this could be a pretty good explanation for you Sirius, that's why I brought it down."

Sirius blinked as Storm took out an envelope and handed it to him. Curious as to what his goddaughter was talking about, he accepted it and began to read the letter inside. It took him a moment to read it, and then he had to read it a second time because he just couldn't believe what he was reading.

"James… James couldn't bear children." Sirius whispered… "You were adopted… you… Merlin." He whispered unable to say much more.

"Sirius I'm still me you know. I'm still Storm Potter just add the Dumbledore to the name." Storm remarked causing Sirius to chuckle.

"Dumbledore… wow… Wait he doesn't know does he?" Sirius asked looking up at both girls. "Well that's where the explanation begins to get a bit complicated." Tempest laughed while Storm smiled. "You see our birthparents didn't tell our grandparents about us. It was safer that way, the less people who knew the better it was."

"The only other people who knew were mum and dad." Storm stated. "By adopting me they took on the secret of my birth parents as well."

"We didn't even know that we had a twin out there somewhere until this summer." Tempest continued. "You see Grandpa wants nobody to know about me, so he hides me. He decided that instead of Hogwarts like my father wanted, I was to attend Salem Institute of Magic. Don't get me wrong, Salem is a great school but I've always wanted to attend Hogwarts, like my parents did. Well like most summers since I started at Salem we had a bit of an argument, well this summer I sort of ran away from Hogwarts."

"Rather funny considering I decided to run away from my relatives the same day." Storm laughed causing Sirius' eyes to widen. "We met when she got off the night buss in Surrey. It was a coincidence again but we decided that two heads were better than one and so we ran away together. We went to Gringotts and that's when I got that letter and found out about my responsibilities. We decided to come and live here since it was the safest place for us."

"Then one night I got an idea." Tempest stated while looking at Storm who laughed.

"Woke me up at four in the morning she did."

"And told her that we should switch places." Tempest continued.

"Switch places?" He whispered unable to believe his ears.

"I told her it was completely crazy that it was dangerous, Voldemorts been after me since I was a baby and if she took my spot then she would be in big danger, not to mention the ministry of magic being complete jerks." Storm stated.

"So I told her that I could handle anything and that it would be completely safe. We would teach each other everything we knew make sure that we looked identical." Tempest revealed. "And she agreed after I said that she would finally have a year away from the fame of being the Girl-who-lived. After that we began the plan."

"My appearance was first, lengthening my hair was fine with me, I missed my long hair. We followed with piercings before getting full new wardrobes. I needed one anyway." Storm stated a light blush covering her cheeks.

"Then we began the lessons. Teaching each other as much as we could about each other's lives, habits, spells everything. The only thing we couldn't match was our patronus charms. Their different and I'm just really lucky nobody asked me to do one yet."

"Do you girls have any idea how dangerous this is!" Sirius exclaimed causing both to look at him with raised eyebrows. "You are both impersonating somebody! You are both putting your lives in danger!"

"We know the danger we are putting ourselves in, that is why we have been extremely careful about this, only two other people know bare you! Do you think we want to be caught? No we don't and we're taking every measure to make sure we aren't caught!" Tempest exclaimed her anger showing through. "Please don't talk about danger to us, you have done far worse!"

"Tempest calm down please, and Sirius you as well." Storm ordered causing both to look at her. "I don't want us fighting right now, Sirius we have explained things to you. We know the danger we are putting ourselves in but you have to understand that we have finally been given the chance to have things that were denied before. You out of most people should be happy, you've always said that I should do what makes me happy and right now this is making me happy, for the first time after long time I feel alive and I'm learning things that will help me against Voldemort." Storm stated firmness in her voice that Sirius had never heard before.

"You're right Storm, I guess I just worry for you and it's been a rather shocking morning." Sirius remarked while turning is gaze to Tempest, who blushed lightly.

"It was your fault you hooked on to me while the Portkey was activating." Tempest grumbled causing Storm to giggle while Sirius just shook his head.

"I guess you're right. So what's the plan, I am staying after all, the first time I get out of that blasted house and somewhere that is actually filled with light." Sirius remarked while looking around.

"You'll be safe here Sirius, nobody knows about this place, and there is a lot of space, not to mention dueling chambers, swimming pool, and a huge library." Storm stated before yawning. "But you guys might have just woken up, but I need to sleep."

"I'll walk you to your room." Tempest jumped before helping her sister up. "If you want I'm sure a house elf would be more than happy to show you about and to your room. We'll be able to get you some clothes later today."

…

Arriving in her room, Storm sat down on her bed and buried her face in her hands. For a moment, Tempest stood there, looking at her sister a bit worried before she gently sat beside her.

"What's wrong Stormy? Is it Sirius?" Tempest asked a bit worried.

"NO… no its not Sirius, I am actually really glad he is here but it's something else. Something that happened just before my portkey activated and brought me here." She whispered causing Tempest to frown.

"What happened?"

"Damien kissed me that's what happened!" Storm exclaimed while throwing her arms up and standing abruptly. "He kissed me straight on the mouth and didn't give a single warning of it! How am I supposed to react to that!"

"He kissed you!" Tempest exclaimed. "Oh my god! That's great Storm!"

"Great! He kissed me! Your best friend!" Storm exclaimed causing Tempest to laugh.

"So what if he's my best friend, you like him Storm and if Damien kissed you then he likes you back. He wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't." Tempest stated.

"You really don't care?" Storm whispered causing Tempest to roll her eyes.

"I don't, I actually think you would look really cute together." Tempest remarked before standing and placing her hands on her sister's shoulders. "As to what you're going to do. The moment you arrive back in Salem, you will find him and kiss him straight on the lips. Just promise me one thing."

"What?" Storm asked.

"No details please." Tempest remarked causing her sister to look at her confused or a moment before she burst out laughing.