A/N: Well, I know it's short, but really, I had to sort of force this one. I hated writing it, not really wanting to have to go into details I have already went over, so yeah, lol. But, the next one will make up for it!

A/N: The tile and the lyrics are from Green Day's "Stuck With Me". Another lovely song, lol.

AA/N: I do not own Harry Potter, just the OC's

Cast out... Buried in a hole

Struck down... forcing me to fall

Destroyed... giving up the fight

Well, I know I'm not alright

She sat there on the stoop for about a half hour before she heard them all gathering in the kitchen and felt her stomach tighten. She knew they had to be told, but dreaded it. This would make or break whether or not she was going to have any help in destroying her father.

She scooted closer to the door, leaning towards it and putting her ear against the wood.

...

Molly didn't know where to start. She watched as her youngest son and his friends gathered around her, their faces full of curiosity. She smiled at them and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerve.

"I wanted you all to join me, because I have something I need to tell you. We are going to have a guest for the remainder of the break, and I need to explain a few things before you meet her."

She had started wringing her hands, unsure of how to continue.

"It's just that she is somewhat different, really. She -"

Molly was cut off by a squeal from Hermione.

"Ooh! Is she a Muggle?"

Ron snorted and looked at his mother, smirking slightly.

"Is she a Muggle, Mum?"

Before Molly could answer though, Hermione plowed on.

"Can you imagine if she was? Think of all the things she could teach us! It would be - !"

She broke off as Harry and Ron started to laugh.

"Your a Muggleborn, 'Moine! What could she possibly teach you?"

Hermione's cheeks turned pink, but she glared at Ron.

"We could learn from her point of view, Ronald! If you would stop being so close minded, you might -!"

Molly threw her hands up, stopping them before they had a row.

"She's not a Muggle! She's just- well, she just comes from a different background, I guess. She is- that is to say she-"

Molly was cursing Albus in her mind for leaving her to explain to them about Willow. A good kick to the backside would be waiting on him the next time he graced her doorway.

While she stood there, tongue tied, she heard a clatter coming down the stairs. The twins made their way into the kitchen, laughing.

"What's for breakfast, Mum?" Fred asked as he grabbed some toast, only to devour it in almost one bite.

She sighed, not sure if she would ever get this out.

"I just want you all to treat her right. She- she has had a very hard life, but she is a very sweet girl, despite everything that has happened. But there are a few things I need to explain first. She is-"

"Are you talking about Willow?" George interrupted, a michevious grin on his face.

Molly raised her brow.

"How do you-?"

George laughed and shook his head.

"We've been here for hours, Mum! We met her in the garden this morning. Very lovely girl."

"Not bad looking, either." Fred wagged his eyebrows suggestively, making Ron perk up.

"Really? What she look like?"

"Oh, you'll see for yourself.. later..." He cowered as his mother glared at him, making his twin laugh.

"As I was saying," Molly huffed, her hands going to her hips in frustration, "there are a few things you need to know. Mainly about her family. You see, her father is... Well he's..."

Willow couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and opened the door, being met by five surprised faces, and Fred, who winked at her, grinning wickedly. She chuckled, turning to Molly and smiling softly.

"Let me tell them, Molly. You're going to give your self an aneurysm if you keep going."

The older woman laughed a little nervously, but stepped aside. Willow turned to the three, her grey eyes finally landing on Potter's green ones. She held out her hand to him, trying to decifer his expression. He looked down at her offered limb, taking it slowly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry. M-my name is Willow Windkeeper."

He nodded slightly, his eyes still suspicious.

"And I'm L-Lord Voldemort's daughter."

She hadn't meant it to come out that bluntly, but it couldn't be helped now. He continued to shake her hand for a moment before it actually sunk in. She heard the other two gasp, glancing at them to see the girl staring at her wide eyed. Ron just looked green. The pressure on her hand began to tighten as he realized what she had said and she looked back at him, seeing that he looked ready to explode.

He jerked his hand away, staring at her like she was some kind of monster.

"What is Dumbledore playing at? Does he actually expect us to trust her?"

He turned to Molly, his face screwed up in anger. The other's seemed to inch away from him as he started to get even more worked up.

"He has to be crazy! Why in Merlin's name would you even let her in your house! She's part of him!"

Willow bit her lip, feeling her anger rise. She knew arguing would get them no where, but he was really starting to piss her off.

But it was Molly who stepped in, her face livid.

"Don't you think we would know if she was on his side or not, Harry? Just because of who her father is, doesn't mean she is just like him. Are you just like the Dursley's?"

Harry blanched, glancing back at Willow. He shook his head and was about to speak, when Molly over rode him again.

"And as for letting her in my house, I do believe that is my business, not yours. I trust this girl. She is family! And she is no more like Him then you are!"

Harry lowered his head, his face full of shame. Willow gave a quick look round the room, and saw everyone else just looked flabbergasted. Harry peered back up at her, his eyes apologetic.

"I"m sorry. It's just that-"

Willow held up a hand and shook her head.

"I get it Potter. Really, I do. I know Albus is crazy to think that you would just welcome me with open arms." She chuckled.

"I would." Fred told her in a lecherous voice, making her laugh even harder.

She extended her hand once more to Potter, who took it, a tiny smile playing at his lips.

"You won't blame me for being cautious for the time being, will you?"

She shook her head, smiling slightly.

He turned to the other two and pointed to the girl.

"This is Hermione," he pointed around her at the boy, "And that's Ron."

They both smiled at her and shook her hand. This had been far easier than she expected it to be. With any luck, she thought, she might actually have some friends when school started.

Molly sniffed loudly, and Willow turned to her in disbelief, laughing.

"Are you crying?"

The older woman swatted her with a dish towel and scowled.

"Oh! Just go on you four! Go talk or something and leave me to get breakfast started!"

Harry and the other two left quickly, Ron glancing back at his mother fearfully. But Willow reached out and hugged the older woman.

"Thanks for trying to tell them, Molly. I know Albus pretty much handed it off to you to explain." She said bitterly, thinking of the headmaster.

Molly patted her back and sniffled again.

"It's quite alright dear. I tried, but I just couldn't find the words..."

Willow chuckled softly and let her go.

"Ole' Dad always makes for awkward conversations. I don't blame you."

With a laugh, Molly turned to the stove and began to gather the pots needed for breakfast. She turned to the twins, still perched on the counter.

"You two take her to find the others. Help make the conversation lighter if you can." She said softly.

"What about Bill and Fleur, Mum?" George asked.

Molly shook her head.

"I don't know. They should be down in a while and I'll tell them then. It should be easier; I was just worried about Harry being so upset."

"Well it might help that Bill knows her." Said Fred with a grin.

"How?" Moly asked, her voice full of surprise.

"I knew him at the castle. Him and Charlie. They were both always very kind to me." Willow told her.

Molly smiled, nodding slightly.

"I had forgotten about that. Well, just leave it to me then. I'll explain when they come down. Why don't you all go out into the garden again and when breakfast is finished, I call you all back in." She turned and began to get started, leaving them to it.

Fred was at her side in a flash, making her laugh. He hooked her arm through his and led her to the living room, George in tow.

.

.

.

.

As soon as they were out of the kitchen, Ron turned to Harry, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"What you think?"

Harry didn't have an answer just yet. He was still in shock. He remembered back to his second year, to when the Chamber of Secrets had been opened.

"Lord Voldemort is the last heir of Slytherin." Dumbledore had told him. But he lied. Why hadn't he just told him about her? Did he think that he, Harry, couldn't handle it? Or had he been trying to keep the girl a secret forever? To never tell anyone about her? As if she never existed?

He looked at his two best friends and saw his own worry mirrored in their eyes.

"I don't even know yet. How could Dumbledore have lied about her? I mean, what did he gain from it? He already knew I was tired of being lied to!" He exclaimed in a harsh whisper.

Hermione shushed him and pulled him over to the stairs.

"I know your angry with him, but Harry, don't take it out on her. You don't know what all she has been through. I mean, could you imagine what sort of life she has had being his daughter?"

He hadn't thought about that. She was possibly more of a pawn than he himself was in all of this. He pushed past them and went into the living room, setting down on the sofa.

"I just wonder what this means now. For the war.. Even the prophecy for that matter." he said, putting is head in his hands.

They heard voices and saw Fred leading Willow out of the kitchen followed by George. He gave Ron and Hermione a pointed look, letting them know they would discuss it more later. He looked over at the girl and smiled slightly, his hands falling to his lap. He figured he had better make the best of this, at least to find out what he was up against this time.

It was weird though. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that the initial shock was gone, and he really got a look at her, he realized how much she looked like Voldemort.

Well, Tom Riddle.

But as he thought abut it, he pictured her with the flat, no-nosed face Voldemort had and almost cracked up, gaining odd looks from all the others.

Now it was going to be even harder talking to her.

She had the same color of eyes that he used to have. The pale, smoky grey that haunted him for months after his second year. It was strange to see them look kind; like he was in some sort of twisted alternate world.

Where Tom was a girl.

He started to snigger, making Ron look at him questioningly. He shook his head and gazed over at Willow, who was smiling oddly at him.

"What?" she asked.

"Oh, it's n-nothing. J-just thinking, that's all."

They all sat there in silence, no one really sure where to begin. Willow finally smiled, looking up at Fred.

"So, anyone have any ideas on how to make this even more awkward?" She asked, grinning.

"I think I know how," Fred began, an odd grin on his face,"Lets go outside though. Bit stuffy in here." He said when the others looked at him oddly. He led the way out the door and around the hose, going back to the clump of junipers he first saw Willow hiding in.

Once there, he turned Harry and the others, a serious look on his face.

"Now listen you lot, I will only say this once; this girl is family," he said, looking hard at Ron, " and therefore she will be treated as such. Even though she might not have the best parents in the world," his eyes moved to Harry's, "it doesn't mean you can treat her like she's an evil git. Understand?" He asked, looking at them all.

They nodded. Willow saw Harry and Hermione look a little abashed at being talked to like that by Fred and chuckled slightly.

"I understand if your curious, you know... I would be too." She said softly.

"Can - can I ask you ...?" Harry began, looking a bit awkward.

"Ask away. I will answer as best I can." Willow said with a smile.

"Well," he began, "how is it we never knew about you? I mean, it seems like it would have been sort of hard to hide..." He said sounding confused.

Willow turned and sat on the ground, patting the place beside her with an easy grin.

"Have a seat, Potter. This is going to take awhile."

-Well, that's it! Another one added and hope fully another will soon follow!

Oh yeah, I need a muse, people! Any ideas on how to help the story, especially with Willow and Neville, please P.M. me!