A/N: Ugh, I hate to sound desperate, but I need more reviews to boost my self-esteem. Thanx.

Rude Awakenings

Finally, after a week of anxiety from various teachers and students, Harper woke up. At first, as in all classic stories, she did not know where she was. Then she noticed the flowers, balloons, talking cards, and candy that surrounded her, and she knew exactly were she was. In the hospital wing.

"So, you're awake. And you have lemon drops, I see," Dumbledore said shyly. It was almost like he had appeared out of nowhere.

"Go ahead, have them," groaned Harper. "What happened?"

"You were hit with a black curse. Somebody gave you a potion that slowed the curse. After much pleading with the ministry, they gave us access to the only spell that could save you," Dumbledore said gently.

"Oh," replied Harper weakly.

"Now rest. I believe there are a few people who would like to talk to you," said Dumbledore before he quietly slipped away.

***

When Harper woke again the white walled room was dim and cold. She groaned and weakly propped herself on her elbows.

Professor Snape, Lupin, Oliver Wood, Harry Ron, and Hermoine stood around her. McGonagall, Flitwick, and a few ghosts had just left visiting her.

"You're alive!" said Lupin, clearly relived. "Thank God," he sighed a sigh of pure relief. A look of pure relief flooded Wood's face also.

"I need to talk to you. Alone," Snape added after no one moved.

"Yeah, whatever, Severus," Wood said in a delighted form of mocking. Then he bent down to Harper, stroked her red hair, and said "careful, 'kay?" Wood and Lupin silently left the cold room, but the famous trio stood firm.

"Shouldn't you three be going somewhere?" Snape hissed.

"She's our friend, Professor," said Harry. Ron and Hermoine both stared at their feet.

"Oh, are you sure about that, Potter?" said Snape maliciously. "Out," he said, poison dripping off his every word.

"C'mon, Harry, he's right," said Ron quietly. Harry was about to say something, but decided against it, and left kicking a stray jellybean on his way out.

"Harper…. I suppose you should know your family. I'll start with myself. I…I am you mother's brother," he looked away, clearly embarrassed.

"You? You're my uncle?"

"Yes," he snapped. "Me."

"Oh," she said quietly. "Go on."

"I believe you were wondering why I was so protective of you. That's why."

Harper just nodded.

"It was very touching. Seeing everyone crying and Lupin muttering 'Holly's girl' all the time. I love Holly, she's my sister, so of course I love you."

'Whoa, where'd that come from?' Harper thought. 'At least I know where I get my sarcasm.' "Why was Lupin saying that?" she asked out loud.

"Why?" Snape allowed himself a brief laugh. "You don't know. Your mother was in Gryffindor, and I was in Slytherin. Of course, she was a best friend with Lily Evans, who in turn was best buddies with James Potter and gang. Holly, your mother, was in love with a certain member of this gang," Snape paused as the sun set further down.

"She was in love with Harry's dad?" asked Harper, baffled.

"No, I should hope not! No, she loved Lupin, and he loved her. That is why he felt he let Holly down. But before he could marry her, he had unfortunate accident with a werewolf. Not wanting to endanger her, he broke up with her. And after we graduated Holly met that elf, and moved to Washington. Your father came from a long line of royal elves, and broke the line of royal elflings with you. Your father and I have never gotten along.

"Ever since you came here Lupin has felt it his responsibility to protect you, when it was mine."

"Oh. It was you," said Harper as it suddenly dawned on her. "Wasn't it?"

"What?"

"You're the one who gave me the potion that saved me."

"Yes, so?"

"Thanks."

"What's family for?" Snape began to turn red at the ears. "I have to go. Lessons to plan you know." Snape left in a swirl of cloaks.

One mystery solved. At least one more to go.