Later that day at breakfast, things were just a little strained at the Gryffindor table. Harry refused to speak to Ron, Hermione refused to speak to anybody, and Parvati and Lavender would only speak to each other. Neville's head was resting on his arms, tired after waking so early by Seamus hoping not to wake up. Fred and George were speaking in whispers most likely working on the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes again. The first years even seemed to be affected by everyone's silence as they ate their food hurriedly and silently. Erin, tactful as usual, was the first to break the silence.
" Is everyone having a good time?" everyone nodded mutely at her. "In case anyone cares, last night I had the funniest dream…" Almost everyone at the table stopped listening all except Seamus Finnigan who was still staring transfixed at her. Harry went back to thinking about the dream he had the night before or that morning, Harry was still not sure which, not wearing a watch to bed. It began normally just with the pieces of the puzzle Harry had placed together. His parents making Pettigrew their secret keeper, Pettigrew betraying them, His parents final moments. Only in his dream the facts were confused. Someone else had betrayed someone and it was all his fault…But Harry decided it was just him forgetting his dream. But Harry decided just to ask Hermione about it…just to be sure. He wouldn't tell her about the dream, he'd look stupid but he would ask if others had died, because of him. He remembered how nice and supportive she was last night and how concerned she looked for him. Hermione was great. She was really sensitive but hey Harry could take care of her make sure no one hurt her. He had faced Voldemort 4 times he could obviously take care of anyone who hurt Hermione. Harry noticed his reflection in his plate smiling dazedly.
" What's so funny Potter?" Ron barked at him, "Busy thinking up new insults? It must take up a lot of your time being as thick as you are, really it would…"
"Thick am I? At least I can afford it!" Harry noticed exactly what he had said, a little too late. " Ron, I didn't mean to say afford, I sorry 'bout talking about how poor you are…" Ron jumped across the table, dragging his robe sleeve in jam.
"You evil Bas…"
"Ron!" Hermione shrieked grabbing him by his shirt collar. She pulled his upper body backwards and dropped down under the table dragging Ron with her. Now both of them under the table she threw an arm around him and started talking to him very fast. Everyone of course, not witnessing what had happened 30 years ago last night were totally thunderstruck at the row that Ron and Harry before best friends came very close to having. But Erin, of course Erin...she found it all exceptionally amusing especially the part of Hermione dragging Ron under the table. She looked around at all the awed faces then lifted the table curtain just a snitch just enough for people on her side of the table could see Ron and Hermione's profiles very close together. Erin looked back up at everyone a grinned malevolently. The very first thought Harry had was how much she looked like Malfoy when she did that. But his thoughts were taken away by Erin's cackle as she said,
" Hmm Exhibitionism never thought she had it in her! Everyone, please just don't look at me like I'm some kind of witch! Hey although I am!" as she cackled again, Lydia who had been writing a letter quietly at the table acknowledging but not being affected by the silence at the table looked up and glared at Erin.
"You're not". She said quietly with resignation.
"Not what?" Erin looked at her startled.
"A witch. You're nothing". This seemed to be a pronouncement she had been waiting to make for a long time because she stood up; her ice colored eyes narrowed, her pale cheeks reddening. "You are just a spoiled foul little girl who has no magical inkling because your mother was a horrid person and your father…"Lydia stopped when she noticed Erin grinning." A pray tell what you find so amusing." Neville who had been watching terrified as this exchange was going on laid one chubby hand one Lydia's narrow shoulders.
"Lyds… you might want to stop now". Lydia looked at him as if just noticing he was there. Before she had time to say anything Erin looking just as angry as Lydia was talked to both of them in a slightly patronizing voice.
" Lydia Darling. I wouldn't think it of you to insult the memory of our dear family. After all I am your sister". Lydia stood up and slapped Erin leaving a bright red handprint on the girl's already rosy cheeks.
"You are no sister of mine. Never would the Longbottom name be disgraced of having you in it, Erin Marvolo." Harry looked up at them shocked out of his wits at what Lydia had just said. Erin Marvolo…That would mean Erin wasn't kidding when she said she was Voldemort's daughter? Erin smiled again a clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Opps! Oh no Lydia, now everyone knows our little family secret! Now everyone knows why you are jealous of me!"
"I? Jealous of you? For what? For having a father whom is really a balding old man but being so full of yourself you believe that your father is the Dark Lord? Even I, who was to young to ever really now what life with the You-Know-Who, was like know that he is way to arrogant to EVER have relations with an ugly wench like your mother!" This time it was Erin who slapped Lydia.
"How dare you. It was my mother who worked valiantly to restore her master even if it meant torturing her brother and his family. It was my mother who at the trial pleaded guilty while that fool Crouch screamed innocence at his father. It was my mother who died in Azkaban waiting forever waiting for her lord!" As everyone in the table looked at her Neville stood at shakily and spat at Erin.
"I suppose you think that's something to be proud of? Knowing that your mother half killed mine and Lydia's parents!"
"Stop!" Hermione stood up. "Yours and Lydia's parents? I thought Erin and Lydia were sisters…and you were their cousin…"
"Ha! Never! Mine and Neville's father was Frank Longbottom, and Erin's mother was Frank's little sister Belinda…" Erin cut Lydia off.
"Who was noble enough to betray her family to bring her Lord back to power. What? You folks didn't know that the only reason Neville's parents are Insan…" Lydia jumped across the table.
"WE DONOT DISCUSS THIS IN FRONT OF NEVILLE!" Erin continued,
"The only reason Neville's parents are total nutters is because of little Harry Potter" Everyone stopped. Then as if someone had turned the power back on, Everyone started shouting and Lydia and Hermione had both started beating up on Erin. Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid, and Dumbledore all hurried to the table pulling Lydia off of Erin and sending purple sparks everywhere trying to calm to chaos as the Gryffindor table. And amidst it all, Both Harry and Neville had disappeared.
