First of all, I want to apologize. I am really sorry that this story hasn't been updated in over a year. To be honest, my enthusiasm for Harry Potter has dwindled. I've been more into How to Train Your Dragon lately, hence my focus having been transferred to writing HTTYD stories for the past year.

As for another reason why I haven't updated this story in a long while… around the time I posted Chapter 23, I was struggling with depression. I had lost my love for writing and I ended up seeing whatever I wrote as shit. I had to take a leave of absence from school for about 6 months to recover both physically and mentally.

I'm now back in school, and I've regained my love for writing. Regarding this story, it will still take a while for me to continue this. I have to immerse myself in the Potterverse and rekindle my love for all things HP.

But, like I said before, I'm not abandoning this story. It might take a while, but I WILL FINISH THIS.

Thanks to all the people who have read, followed, and added this story to their Favorite list. I'm really sorry this took so long, but I hope you guys like this new chapter.

NOTE: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter 24: Secret Exposed

Pride or Shame? The Dirt on Harry Potter's Slytherin Cousin

By Rita Skeeter

Last Sunday, Auror-in-training Harry Potter attended a Hogwarts Quidditch match in order to support his young cousin, a Ms. Jemma Dursley who was playing Seeker for, believe it or not, dear readers… the Slytherin Quidditch team.

Eyewitnesses report that Ms. Dursley flew her broom like a natural. No doubt she's inherited her famous cousin's flying skills. Mr. Potter looked overjoyed to see his cousin take victory for her House.

But was he really?

As you all know, Mr. Potter graduated from Hogwarts as a Gryffindor. To have the next generation, his own cousin, become a member of the vindictive House of Slytherin, where You Know Who came from, must be a serious blow to his family's pride and name. Could his joy at his cousin's recent Quidditch victory be a farce, to hide the shame he feels for having a relative sorted into his former House's sworn rival?

There were more words but Jemma didn't want to read them. She thrust the newspaper back into Ginny's hands and ran out of the Great Hall, her appetite long gone.

"Jem, wait!" Vincent shouted, trying to run after her.

"Leave her alone, Vince. Let her sort out her own mess," Cassie piped up, reading the paper. The rest of her House were looking at the retreating back of the humiliated Jemma as she ran out of the Great Hall. The whispers continued, adding to Vincent's disbelief. His family had come under fire thanks to Rita Skeeter's defaming articles before. Were they all seriously taking the bait?

Wendy balled her hands into fists and stomped towards Cassie at the Gryffindor table. "It was you, wasn't it?" she pointed an accusing finger at the Devon girl. "You told Skeeter about Jem."

Cassie's coal dark eyes had a steely look about them as she stood up, facing the Hufflepuff. "You should watch where you fling your accusations at, Yank," she sneered.

Vincent grabbed Wendy before she could take a swing at Cassie. Lawrence, on the other hand, read the article again and wondered out loud, "It makes no sense. How did Skeeter know there'd be a Quidditch match?"

"Jemma did write Harry a letter inviting him to come watch," Ginny replied, looking uneasy.

"But Skeeter couldn't have intercepted the mail. How did she even know?" Annie asked, worried.

Ginny put a hand to her chin and bit her lip. Suddenly her eyes lit up before hardening. "Why that horrid…" she murmured before running out of the Great Hall as well.

Jemma had fled to the owlery. The moment they saw their owner wiping tears from her eyes, Seraphine and Otulissa flew down from their perches and chirped worriedly.

'What's wrong, Jem?' Seraphine asked, draping a scarlet wing over the girl's shoulder.

'Is Cassie picking on you again? Do you want me to scratch her eyes out?' Otulissa hooted then screeched when Seraphine gave her a scolding peck. Jemma shook her head and just curled up in a corner with her head on her knees. No amount of pleading from Otulissa and Seraphine would get her to open up.

"Oh, look! It's Harry Potter's turncoat cousin!"

That insult had cut her to the core. Thanks to one newspaper reporter, probably the whole of Gryffindor House now saw her as a traitor. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff? Maybe they saw her as that too. By becoming a Slytherin, she had gone and committed an unspeakable crime against Harry's reputation. Not being sorted into Gryffindor was already bad enough. Getting sorted into Slytherin was blasphemy.

'But Harry reassured me that he'll always be proud of me no matter which House I'm in. And that Skeeter woman's been known to tell whoppers. Why am I letting this affect me so much?' Thought Jemma as she sat there in the owlery.

The look on all the other students' faces in the Great Hall reminded her just exactly why. They'd all read the article, they all knew her true identity now. Without a doubt, they were judging her for it. Dread weighed down Jemma's heart. She'd been doing so well and had gained friends from all the other Houses. Was Skeeter's article going to take it all away from her?

Jemma burst into tears on the spot, the candles around the owlery going out instantly and plunging her into darkness.