Harry charged up the stairs at the sound of his sister's horrific screaming. He was filled with intense emotions he had never felt before. He completely loved Jana and wanted to do everything in his power to protect her. It wasn't the love he had for Sirius. It wasn't the love he had for Ginny. This was different. At long last he pushed aside all of his own desires, what he saw as family, and accepted Jana exactly as she was. She was his sister. His blood. Lily Potter had created them both. They had shared a womb only to be cruelly separated at birth. Christoph urged Harry not to come in the room, but he nearly walked straight through him to get to her.
Jana's body was contorted in what looked like an impossible way. Unlike when Lupin had transformed into a fur covered beast with long nails and sharp teeth, Jana maintained her feminine form and doll like face that attracted too many young men for his liking. Her limbs and back contracted in an unbearable way until finally she was released from the twisting and dropped down back into the blankets and pillows. Harry did not know what to do but was convinced he could get her alert enough to drink the wolfsbane and ease her suffering. He called out her name is desperation, taking her entire upper body into his arms and holding her to him as tightly as he could. He reassured her that he was there and would not leave.
Eventually she opened her eyes half heartedly and made eye contact. Harry poured the potion into her mouth until it was gone, and quietly she went limp into a deep merciful sleep. Harry listened to his own breathing as it slowed. His heart was beating so fast that he could hear his pulse.
"Thank you," Christoph's voice broke. His wet face glistened in the moonlight. "She always takes her potion...I had forgotten...I forgot…" Harry could feel the tension in Christoph's body as he draped himself over Jana's form. All at once he released it into a sob into Jana's neck. And for the first time since they had met, Harry genuinely felt empathy for him.
"Will she be alright by morning?" Harry finally managed to inquire. Christoph did not dare show his bereft expression. Finally catching his breath he managed to explain that by morning it would be as if nothing had happened to Jana or Lupin at all.
"She's so strong...I fail to remember how sick she is…"
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley did everything they could to keep everyone's mind off of Jana and Lupin. There was nothing further they could provide anyway. They simply had to wait. Bill and Fleur's arrival was a welcome surprise, and catching up with them did distract everyone enough to get through some treacle tart and to sleep.
Harry woke up rather early the next morning, eager to see Jana back to herself. He heard muffled voices coming from Ginny's room. Lupin was kneeling on the floor trying to fasten something with metal and leather to Jana's leg. They were chatting and smiling. He felt bad for intruding and stood there quietly for a moment before knocking.
"How's that?" Lupin asked, tightening a leather strap below her knee.
"Better," Jana smiled.
"Are you sure you want to wear it today?" Lupin confirmed, bringing his left knee up from the floor as if about to stand up. Jana confirmed with a bob of her head. Lupin took Jana's hands and lifted her to stand. At first Jana was wobbly, and held onto him for support.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Remus, we'll be inside all day. If it hurts I'll take it off," Jana explained. He knew he shouldn't have, but Harry finally brought his knuckle to the door's surface.
"I'm so glad you're both alright," Harry smiled, standing there in his pajamas, "gave us quite a scare." Jana looked at him vacantly. She was back to herself. He embraced her aloof nature, even if it wasn't what he wanted.
"Hungry?" Lupin asked.
Although it was a bit difficult to locate what they needed, Harry and Lupin gathered ingredients for breakfast. Jana set up a cutting board at a special angle near the window so that the sunlight would hit the knife just right. She began cutting tomatoes and mushrooms, humming a tune that sounded familiar. Lupin removed sausages from the icebox and rummaged for a cast iron skillet.
"I hope you weren't too hard on him," Lupin said as he lit the burner by simply pointing at it.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jana replied quickly, and then resumed her humming.
"Yes you do," Lupin smirked, setting the pan down on the fire and tumbling the sausages in, "I was rooting for you and Oliver. Good match." Jana's humming stopped and now only the sound of the sink pouring water into a bowl of vegetables could be heard.
"There is no me and Oliver," Jana finally answered. She cleaned the vegetables by hand as if to ease her frustration.
"You're a terrible liar, Jana Lily," Lupin pouted.
"Is that so?" Jana replied now with levity in her voice, "I do things that would shock you!"
"Do you really? I'm very happy for you. Please, shock me with the bitter details," Lupin joked, taking the freshly cleaned vegetables out of her grasp and pouring them into the pan. Harry was enjoying watching them very much. It felt like home. How things were supposed to be…and for a moment he imagined Sirius there to...and himself a bit younger...at Domhail together...but the wishful thinking dissipated quickly as the kitchen filled with Ron's family.
"Are you making breakfast for me?" Mrs. Weasley called with delight, grabbing Jana's shoulders with enthusiasm.
"I was but Remus has stolen my mushrooms," Jana explained with a wry smile.
"Well, how dare he!" Mrs. Weasley chuckled.
Over breakfast Jana kept staring at Bill.
"He's engaged to Fleur, so keep dreaming," Ginny teased in Jana's ear. Hermione noticed the gravity on Jana's face and asked if she was alright. When they finally finished eating, Bill formally introduced himself. Harry was unsure if Bill knew who Jana really was. Jana did not let go of Bill's hand when he shook it. Fleur looked annoyed and a bit jealous, but Bill raised his free hand to her and assured it everything was alright. She turned over his hand and traced the lines in his palm with her finger, looking out the window wide eyed. Jana was about to say something, but Fleur freed Bill's hand and shook Jana's instead.
"Do you want children?" Jana asked with a smile.
"But of course! I 'ope Bill and I can mek eh fam'ly one day-"
"You'll have three," Jana stated firmly. Fleur looked stunned into silence.
"You're a Seer?" Bill asked rather loudly, as Jana walked away from them garnering everyone's attention. Jana turned and gazed in an empty way. "I am a Curse Breaker...I've seen a lot of things in Egypt...the Inner Eye is real...try me…" It seemed Bill was disappointed that Fleur had interrupted the prophecy he was about to hear.
Jana approached him boldly, and reached up to his face, bringing his ear to her lips and whispered something. He smirked at her, "I'll hold you to it."
Christmas day was thankfully uneventful. Mrs. Wealsey made a delicious spread, her children opened quasi-embarrassing handmade gifts, and Jana adored the snitch necklace Harry had gotten for her. Although it has been an eventful holiday, Harry was eager to return to Hogwarts. There was just one more thing he wanted to do before they returned.
"When did you meet Sirius?" Harry asked that night when they were finally alone.
"At the inn...before the World Cup…" Jana surprisingly gave Harry all of her attention. Her eyes firmly fixed on his face.
"Did he ever...say anything about me?" Harry asked, desperation in his voice.
"All he did was talk about you," Jana smiled.
"And what did he say?"
"He said... you know my handsome godson, Harry? The one who can cast incredible spells that students four years older can't? He's your brother!"
Harry audibly gasped. He couldn't believe that it was truly Sirius who told Jana the truth.
"He was so excited to introduce us…" Jana's voice broke, "but he didn't come back."
And they grieved. Together.